Allen "Al" Arthur Kroeger

Allen Arthur "Al" Kroeger of Burnet died quietly in his sleep on Saturday, January 1, in Jonesboro, Texas, at the age of 91 years. Mr. Kroeger was born August 31, 1919 in Bellville, Texas, the fifth of eight children born to W.A. Kroeger, Sr. and Grace Charpiot Kroeger. He came with his family to Burnet in 1921, where he graduated Burnet High School in 1937 and began working, with his brothers, in his father's freight hauling business. Over time, the family business evolved from one horse drawn dray, hauling goods from the railroad depot to local businesses, into Kroeger Trucking, Kroeger Moving and Storage, Kroeger Implement Company and Kroeger Service Station.

In 1942, when World War II intervened, Mr. Kroeger joined the Air Force, serving with the Training Command and was honorably discharged in 1945. In 1943 he married Winona "Nig" Clark of Marble Falls. A daughter, Kay, was born in 1944.

After the war, Mr. Kroeger returned to Burnet and reopened Kroeger's Service Station with his brother, Vernon. He became sole owner of the station in 1948, operating the business until his wife's death in 1978, then converted the building to rental office space. He began his second career at Hoover Building Supply and worked for many years, retiring in 2007.

Mr. Kroeger had an abiding interest in his community and was active in civic affairs, serving on the draft board in the 1960's, five terms as a Burnet City Councilman (1988-1998), president of the Friends of the library and director of the Burnet Chamber of Commerce. In 2000 he was named Burnet's Honor Citizen. He was particularly proud of the city council's achievements during his tenure: Delaware Springs Gold Course, Hamilton Creek Park and River walk, Burnet Community Center, Galloway-Hammond's Sports Complex and the Burnet downtown expansion project.

Mr. Kroeger is survived by his daughter, Kay Roberts and husband Ben of Gatesville, brother Lloyd Kroeger and wife Marie of Burnet, sister-in-law Bertiel Kroeger of Austin, 2 granddaughters Anne and Sarah Roberts of Gatesville, a great grandson Daily Ward of Gatesville and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Al was held on Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 P.M. January 5, 2011 with Reverend Max Copeland officiating. Interment followed at the Burnet City Cemetery. Those named as pallbearers were Charles Kroeger, Steven Kroeger, Jack Edwinson, Ben Roberts, Craig Middlebrook, Joshua Phillips, and Sean Phillips.

A memorial register is available by visiting www.clementswilcoxburnet.com.