Steven Ray Fritsche

Steven Ray Fritsche was born on October 21, 1958 in Houston, Texas to Eldor & Helen (Schiwart) Fritsche. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Downtown and renewed his baptismal vows in his confirmation on April 15, 1973 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston.

Steve grew up in Houston and attended Trinity Lutheran Downtown, St. Mark Lutheran School, and graduated from Spring Branch Senior High School in 1977. Steve was an exceptional athlete throughout middle and high school, starring in football and track and field for the Spring Branch Bears, and upon graduation went on to play football at Wharton Junior College.

He was united in marriage to Sharon Smith on September 25, 1982 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. The couple resided in Spring, Texas and became members of Trinity Lutheran in Klein, Texas. Steve worked as a sheet metal worker for 10 years with the Emde Company. He later changed professions and became a talented designer and project manager in the Consulting Engineering industry working for I.A. Naman, Smith Seckman Reid, Wylie Engineers and Garner Fritsche Engineering. After Sharon’s passing in 2002, Steve was united in marriage to Kathy Rice on October 23, 2004 and the couple joined St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Steve served actively on the Board of Directors and the Board of Elders at St. Timothy, and joined Our Savior Lutheran Church in 2020.

Steve was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother who worked hard to support his family. He had a strong sense of responsibility and commitment, tireless work ethic and a great sense of humor. Steve’s grandchildren were a treasured source of joy in his life; they adored their “Paw-Paw” and Steve’s face would light up whenever he talked about them or spent time with them.

In his spare time, Steve loved to play and watch golf, was an avid gun enthusiast, and enjoyed deep sea fishing and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. But his favorite pastime was engaging friends and family in countless games of dominoes – Texas 42 – where Steve was widely regarded as the sharpest player at the table.

Steve was called to be with his Savior on Thursday morning November 11, 2021 at the age of 63 years and 21 days.

He was preceded in death by his father Eldor, wife Sharon, parents-in-law Wayne and Sybill Smith, and stepson Lee Bankhead.

Steve is survived by his mother Helen; son Dustin Fritsche and wife Jessica, son Chris Fritsche and wife Savannah and children Skyler, Jaxson, Gracie, Liam, RoseLynn, Mia and Noah, daughter Sara Perez and husband Tommy, Jr and their children Tommy III, Sophia, Mila and Jameson; stepchildren Bryan and Nicole Bankhead and their children Hayden Parks, Evelyn Bankhead and Bryson Bankhead; stepchildren Kerrie and Andrew Hebert and their children Kylie and Trevor; stepchildren Lee Bankhead and Tori Bankhead; brothers Alan and wife Christine, Kevin and wife Sharon, Anthony and wife Julie, and Nathan and wife Annie; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A gathering of family and friends for Steven will be held Wednesday, November 17, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas. A memorial service will occur Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5000 West Tidwell Road, Houston, Texas 77091.

For those desiring memorial contributions may be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church (https://www.osl.cc/), or floral tributes in honor of Steven will be accepted at Waltrip Funeral Directors.