Fred Herbert Himmelreich, 88, of Silsbee passed away Friday, July 17, 2009, at his residence. He was born October 17, 1920 in Dayton, TX to Bruno Paul and Ella Marie Himmelreich.
He married Edna Murphy on December 23, 1939.
World War II carried him to land on Omaha Beach in Normandy. His battles and campaigns included the Battle of the Bulge, Northern France, Ardiannes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded 4 bronze stars, 3 overseas service bars and numerous other medals and awards which he only recently received.
After returning from the war he worked in the construction of what is now called Highway 92. He then began his 42-year career in the oil industry and retired from Arco in 1984.
Fred was one of the few remaining charter members of the First Assembly of God Church in Silsbee. He served as a deacon and was the
Secretary/Treasurer for 32 years. He loved hunting, fishing, and growing vegetables in his garden. He was always working and stayed busy up until the moment he died. He never failed to read his Bible daily, and he never ate a meal without blessing his food.
He also enjoyed attending the annual Veteran's Programs at the high school, which brought him together with his military buddies and some of his high school classmates. He was a Silsbee High School alumni from the class of 1938. He was best remembered in his younger years as the "Golden Toe" and the "Toe That Defeated Jasper". It was during a football game between the Silsbee Tigers and the Jasper Bulldogs in November 1937 where he gained his fame. In the last minute and a half of the game Silsbee recovered a fumble and ran back for a touchdown. The score was tied. Fred Himmelreich, the kicker for the Tigers, kicked the extra point to put the Tigers into the lead 7-6, giving them the victory. This started the on going bitter rivalry between the two teams. The Interscholastic League did not let the two teams play each other for the next 10 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Leslie Himmelreich and Walter Himmelreich; and his sister Thelma Nolan.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Edna; three daughters, Linda Gilbert and husband Gary of Panama City, FL; Becky Gilbert and husband Denny of Silsbee; and Peggy Jones and husband Wendell of Silsbee; Grandchildren Kim Cox-West, Kristina Fowler, Devin Jones, and Jacey-Kay Jones; Great Grandchildren Coley Cox, Brenton Cox, Jessica Cox, Adrian West, Bobby Brogdon, and Jadon Jones; Sisters Elsie Andrews and Alice Purvis of Silsbee; Rosalie Jones of Orange; Several nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, grand dogs and grand cats.
Funeral services were held Monday, July 20,4PM at First Assembly of God Church in Silsbee with a military interment at R S Farmer Memorial in Silsbee. Pallbearers were Perry Griffith, Ed Hendrix, Glen McNaughten, Kenneth Lindeman, Johnny Fortenberry, Henry Stout and Honorary Pallbearer Loral Vaught.
