Ferdinand “Ferdy” Jung, Jr. of New Braunfels, TX went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ , surrounded by his family, on Tuesday morning, March 19, 2019, at 6:38 am at the age of 83. He was a devoted Christian, having been born into a German Lutheran home on May 22, 1935 in San Antonio, TX to Ferdinand Jung and Lena Uhr Smith Jung, who predeceased him. Ferdy was the youngest of eight children, who predeceased him, his brothers, Egon Jung (Sis), Alvin Jung (Florence), Charlie Smith (Lillie Sevcik Janca), his sisters, Nettie Jung Hilburn (John), Frances Smith Townsend (Gene), Pearl Smith Bouler (Ariel), and Betty Jung Eikenhorst (Ike).
Ferdy is survived by his beloved wife, Gloria Janca Jung; his son, Glenn Jung (Karen); daughter, Shanna Jung Mezik; granddaughter, Jordan Taylor Jung; grandsons, William Robert Mezik and Colton Shawn Mezik; and brother-in-law, Robert (Glenda) Janca; sister in law, Rosa Lee Smith and numerous nephews and nieces.
Ferdy served in the Texas Army National Guard for fourteen years while also working for the New Braunfels Fire Department under Chief Zipp. He then went to work for Alamo Iron Works in San Antonio for a number of years. In 1971 he went to work for Wuest’s grocery store and completed 29 years of faithful service, working as a stocker and then assistant manager.
In 2001 Ferdy went to work as a “deliverer” for New Braunfels Title Company and carried many documents to Seguin, San Marcos, Sattler, Bulverde and various offices, banks, and law offices in New Braunfels, as well as doing certain secretarial duties. He was well liked, always had a smile and loved his job. His employers and co-workers commented whether it was raining, snowing (??in TEXAS??) sweltering heat, Ferdy always made his runs with a joyful outlook and never missed a day of work. He was reliable, hardworking and dependable.
In July, 2008, Ferdy worked part-time as a “runner” in the Law Office of Cornelius and Powell delivering various official documents to law offices and the Courthouse, as well as, other official duties. Because of his trustworthiness, honesty and friendliness, he was well known in town among many business establishments and owners. He loved working in the law office with his legal secretary wife, Gloria.
Ferdy graduated from New Braunfels High School on May 28, 1953, and was proud to be a Unicorn and celebrate the graduation date with his wife, Gloria, May 28, 1965, his daughter, Shanna, May 28, 1993, and his grandson, William Robert Mezik, May 28, 2015. He loved serving as a Mighty Unicorn Band chaperone during Shanna’s 7 years in band attending many band contests, football games, concerts, Wurstfest booth sales; watching the Mighty Unicorn games while William served as an ROTC member, and Colton played in band for 7 years.
Ferdy loved driving the grandsons to and from school (Poppy’s Taxi Service), T-ball practices and games, baseball practices and games, William’s Middle School football practice and games, and many Special Olympic events. (always spoiling them with snacks & drinks).
From the time the grandsons were 2 and 3 years of age, Poppy and Gloria took the boys on annual summer out-of-state vacations and sightseeing, but always including some type of education. He enjoyed teaching them the knowledge he knew and being around them since his father was not a “hands-on” Dad since he was in his later years when Jr. was born.
Jr. and Gloria have been active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church since 1985, serving as greeters, preparing communion, members of the Coffee Crew and Bereavement Committee, provided transportation for the elderly members of the church, and assisted in various church activities.
Jr. loved fishing and caught many catfish, which he loved to fillet and bring home to his family and fry in cornmeal. What a treat!! He also loved to cook, especially his homemade dressing with turkey. He refused to give anyone his “secret” dressing recipe until last year when Shanna begged him to write it down for her being the last time he prepared it. Jr. also loved being involved in family functions and attending family reunions. For many years, Jr and Gloria hosted many of Gloria’s Sevcik and Janca family reunions.
Bowling was a favorite pastime for many years of Ferdys. He was a lifelong member of Mission Valley Bowling Club. When arthritis settled in his knees he had to give up the game he loved. For a while he did enjoy going to visit and watch his friends bowl.
Jr. and Gloria attended many a dance and enjoyed dancing very much. Gloria always said she got her best “catnaps” dancing in his arms – he was such a smooth dancer. They loved to polka, waltz, or country and western dance. They traveled to Mustang Hall (outside of Yoakum) on Wednesday nights, Farmer’s Daughter or Wagon Wheel on Sunday afternoons, Bluebonnet or Eagles Hall on Saturday nights. Anywhere there was a great dance they would be there. They even had a dance floor laid down in their garage in the new home they built after they got married on October 19, 1985. They said that way they didn’t have to drive anywhere, just dance as long as they wanted to, when they got tired, walked in the house and went to bed.
Jr. told Gloria many times “I wish I had met you sooner, so I could LOVE you longer.”
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 25, 2019 from 5-9 PM at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa St., New Braunfels, TX, with a Celebration of Life to be held on Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 777 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX, followed by burial at 2:30 PM in Shiner Cemetery, Shiner, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, Hope Hospice, or the charity of your choice.
