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Alton M. Pagel, 92, passed away on Saturday May 12, 2012 due to a stroke, at Windcrest Nursing Home in Fredericksburg, Texas. He was born on May 26, 1919 in Gonzales County, Texas to Ernest W. and Ella (Adlof) Pagel. Alton was the valedictorian of the Gonzales High School graduating class of 1936. He received a two year scholarship to Texas Lutheran College and then continued his education at the University of Texas as a math major. Alton married Virginia Allene Carter on August 3, 1940 at her family home near Luling, Texas. They had two daughters Lois Annette and Geneva Allene. He worked as a civilian at Randolph Army Airfield until joining the Army in 1944. He continued to work at Randolph Field and was instrumental in revamping the army air navigational training program. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Gonzales and worked as a carpenter. Alton later started his own construction and contracting company in Seguin, Texas. He remained in the construction business the rest of his career as supervisor of construction for Alamo Lumber Company in Seguin and Eagle Lumber Company, Eagle Pass, Texas. He also was the builder and owner of an apartment complex and the first mini storage units in Eagle Pass. After his retirement in 1982, he and Allene moved to Fort Clark, Brackettville, Texas. There he restored and converted an historic building into their retirement home.
Alton was raised in the Methodist Church and was an active member in Gonzales, Seguin, Eagle Pass, and Brackettville. Later in the 1980's Alton began a spiritual journey which included participation in the charismatic movement and independent, Pentecostal, and Messianic churches. He started the Fourth Man Center in Uvalde, Texas which provided shelter and guidance to God's hurting people. In 1993 it moved to near Pipe Creek, Texas with the expanded mission of being a refuge to await the coming of the Messiah.
Alton was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, parents, infant brother Ernest W. Jr. , infant sister Geneva Annette, brother Warren K. (1971), and son-in-law Walter Peterson (2008). He is survived by his daughters Lois Peterson of Fort Worth, and Geneva Ellis and husband Jim of Fredericksburg, Texas; 5 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews were loved as his children.
A memorial celebrating Alton Pagel's life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 26, 2012 at San Marcos Primitive Baptist Church 3 miles west of Luling, Texas on Hwy. 90. Interment was held prior at Highsmith Cemetery adjacent San Marcos Primitive Baptist Church.
No flowers Please. The family request that any memorials be given to Highsmith Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 742, Luling, TX 7848, Hill Country Memorial Hospice, P. O. Box 835, Fredericksburg, Tx 78624 (830-997-1335), or a charity of your choice.
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