Harry S. Seidel Sr.

Harry S. Seidel, Sr. was born May 30, 1923 and passed away on January 20, 2012. He grew up in San Antonio, TX and graduated in 1938 from Brackenridge High School. He went to the Air Force Academy in Blyth, CA. and graduated in the class of 1944B. After graduation he entered the Air Force as a 2nd LT. As a pilot he flew 23 missions over Germany. While in the Air Force he received the Purple Heart, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, 2 Bronze Stars, Presidential Citation, Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Silver Star for heroism for saving the lives of 9 airmen when the plane he was piloting was disabled. He received an Honorable discharge in 1947. After a distinguished military career he returned to San Antonio to begin Seidel Iron Works, which he successfully owned until his retirement in 1990. Mr. Seidel’s decorative iron works can still be seen on San Antonio buildings, including Trinity University, The Medical Arts Building, downtown Joske’s building, and Sunset Memorial Park, to mention a few. He met the love of his life Peggy, in 1949 and married shortly after on April 25, 1947. After their retirement, Harry and Peggy spent their time between San Antonio, Falcon Lake in Zapata, TX and Coutulla, TX where they enjoyed bass fishing and hunting. Harry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Peggy Seidel; son, Harry S. Seidel, Jr; sister, Gladys Harris; sister-in-law, Eve Bernardoni; nephews, Carl, Kenneth and Gordon Harris; John Michael Bernardoni, Craig H. Knopp and wife, Glenda. He is also survived by extended family members, Gloria Goodman and Linda Ross. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. For those who wish, donations may be made in Harry’s name to Veterans of Foreign Wars.