Joseph Gerald Broesche

Joseph Gerald Broesche passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife, Dixie, of 60 years on Sunday, November, 27, 2011, in Dallas Texas. Gerald will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Gerald was born on August 18, 1934 to Joseph and Erna Broesche in Quanah, Texas. Raised in Abilene, Dixie and Gerald began their courtship in junior high. They wed on December 31, 1950. While attending Texas A&M he was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, was Company Commander of "B" Company, and was president of Tau Beta Phi, an honors engineering fraternity. Gig ‘em! Upon Gerald's graduation in 1956 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Dixie and Gerald moved their family to Freeport, Texas. Gerald worked for Dow Chemical for over 39 years in Research and Development and a number of other departments. Gerald and Dixie spent most of their life together in Lake Jackson and were active members of the First Presbyterian Church. Gerald enjoyed singing in the choir, being a Sunday School teacher and serving his church as an Elder and Deacon. For several years, Gerald took care of the lawn and landscaping at their church. Gerald spent many summers at Mo-Ranch in the Texas Hill Country (Hunt, Texas) with his wife and grandchildren. Mo-Ranch was a very special place for Gerald and his family. He enjoyed participating in many hobbies throughout his life including stained glass, lapidary, photography, square dancing, running, handball, racquetball, race walking, fishing, hunting, camping, and wood carving. During his early retirement years, Gerald and Dixie took many special trips. They traveled to the Panama Canal, China, Yosemite, Alaska, Greece and other parts of Europe. Gerald and Dixie moved to Dallas about 2 years ago to be closer to all their family. Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, Erna and Joe; as well as his youngest daughter, Susan. He is survived by his wife, Dixie; and son, Allen (wife, Linda); and daughter, Janet Thurman. He is also survived by his brother, Edwin Broesche (wife, Sandra); grandchildren included, Amy Leonard (husband, Derek), Jennifer Nail (husband, Chris), Pamela Singleton (husband, Jeremy), Matthew Broesche, Emily Thurman and Brian Thurman; as well as great-grandchildren, Ashleigh and Michelle Leonard, Meredith and Dylan Nail, and Abigail and Caleb Singletonl; as well as nieces, Rebecca Darnell and Rachel Henderson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson Voice Project, 500 North Coit Road, Suite #2085, Richardson, Texas 75080, in Gerald Broesches' name. Their website is www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org. Visitation will be November 30, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Restwood Funeral Home in Clute. Texas. Funeral service will be Thursday, December 1, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Jackson, Texas. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him, especially his family. Arrangements under the direction of Restwood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Clute, Texas.