Frederick Sherrod Harral

.Frederick Sherrod Harral, Sr. of Fort Stockton, Texas, died on Monday, March 19, 2012, in Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas. Fred was born January 4, 1926, in Fort Stockton to Freda Patty Harral and William Righton Harral, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Elizabeth Harral and Patty H. Durrett. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Stockton.

Following graduation from Fort Stockton High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Intelligence Division. Afterward, he attended and graduated from Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry with a minor in chemistry.

Fred was a person of many talents. He and his brother managed the family ranch southeast of Fort Stockton. For many years he was a member of the board of directors of the Pecos County Water Control and Improvement District #1. He was a farmer, raising pecan trees and grapes. He was a science and mathematics teacher for Fort Stockton High School for 31 years.

In 1979 Fred and two other educators established the Big Bend Schools Credit Union for the benefit of teachers and all support personnel living and working in the Big Bend area. Fred served as Board President for many years until the credit union merged with the West Texas Educators Credit Union in Odessa. Fred served as a board member of that organization for many years.

Fred’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, woodworking, and gardening. In one local floral exhibit his entry, a beautiful iris named Going My Way, won Queen of the Show.

Fred is survived by his wife, Carol C. Harral; his sons Frederick Sherrod Harral, Jr. of Fort Worth, Texas, and William Randal Harral of Granbury, Texas; his grandchildren Lindsey Elaine Harral and Kevin Randal Harral of Granbury, Texas; his brother William Righton Harral, Jr and wife Ladye Ann Harral of Midland, Texas, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church. Officiating will be a cousin of the deceased, Wendel Elliott, minister of the Cowboy Church of the Big Bend, Alpine, Texas.

In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to one of Fred’s two favorite charities: the West Texas Boys Ranch of San Angelo, Texas, or to the Wounded Warriors Project.