Alfred Vernon Hempel, 84, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 26, 2023. He was born May 22, 1939, in Warda, TX to the late August and Lydia Medach Hempel. Alfred married the love of his life, Joy Dell Niesner, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX in 1959. They relocated to Victoria where he started as a mechanic, working his way up to Manager of Gulf International Truck Company where he was employed for 50 years. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for the past 60 years. Alfred loved playing dominoes, and bowling, he loved to bale hay and help work cows with his sons and could fix anything mechanical that was ever made. He had an excellent memory and could recall who he sold a truck to in the 1960s, for how much, and knew the family history of practically everyone he met. Alfred leaves a legacy of honesty, hard work, and Christian values to his loving family and will never be forgotten.
Alfred is survived by his children, Donnie Hempel (Lisa) of Victoria, Phyllis Quinney (Lonnie) of Victoria, Roger Hempel (Leanne) of Inez; sisters Ruth Ziehr of Pearland, TX and Bernice Edgett of Plainville, KS, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; Blair and Taylee Quinney, Grant and Lane Correll, Addison, Nolan and Asher Hempel and Baby Luke Hempel due in December.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joy, his parents, brothers Ernst, Johann, Edward, Oscar, Royce, and August Jr., and great-grandson Peyton Hempel.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 9-10 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 9806 Zac Lentz Pkwy, Victoria, TX. Funeral services will be at 10 am with burial to immediately follow at Wood-Hi Cemetery.
Pallbearers are his grandsons Travis, Trey, and Caden Hempel, Taylor Quinney, Michael Correll, and Brandon Bueno.
Honorary pallbearers are his granddaughters Kasey Correll, Laney Bueno, Morgyn, Falyn, Leah Shelby Hempel, and Ashlynn Quinney.
Special recognition is given to all his co-workers and customers of Gulf International Truck Company, his bowling buddies at Century Lanes, and the farmers and ranchers of the Victoria area, whom he developed life-long relationships with.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church.
The family would like to express our appreciation for the comfort and care he received through the cardiology team at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Citizens Medical Center Home Health, Crown Hospice of Victoria, and caregiver Crystal Leivo.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23.6
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
