Jake Reynold Fritsch

Jake Reynold Fritsch, 93, of La Grange, died Saturday, April 26, 2014 at St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange.

Jake was born in Goose Creek (now Baytown) on Nov. 30, 1920, the son of Charles A. and Phala Elstner Fritsch. In

May 1943, he married Letha Milner in La Grange. Jake graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1939 as valedictorian of his class and received a B. S. and Master’s degrees from Texas A&M. He served in the U.S. Army in the European theater in 1943- 1947 and retired with the rank of captain. Following his military service, he built a home in Rutersville

and taught agriculture to veterans in Fayette County. He later worked at Rosenberg- Todd, built and managed a dairy, taught vocational agriculture and chemistry at La Grange High School, developed and managed fast food  stablishments

and restaurants in central Texas, worked at Texas Water Quality Board, and ended his career as a certified appraiser.

With a love and talent for music, he played guitar and sang in a band during high school and continued to play throughout his life. Many good times were spent playing mouth harp and guitar with his dad, uncles, and cousins. He will be remembered for playing his mouth harp at his granddaughter’s wedding and at his assisted living facilities.

A long time member of Travis Street Methodist Church, he served as a lay minister and Sunday School teacher. He is survived by two daughters: Carla and husband Bernard Morrey and Nancy and husband William Tielsch all of La Grange; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Fritsch of Colorado; one step-daughter, Shirley and husband Keith Stone of Houston;

ten grandchildren: Michael Morrey and wife, Lisa; Mark Morrey and wife, Ruth; Margaret and husband, Colin Petit, all of Minnesota; Matthew Morrey and wife, Audrey of San Antonio; Leslie and husband, Kevin Cunninham; Jody Fritsch; Joshua Fritsch, all of Colorado; David Fritsch of Nebraska; Daniel Fritsch and wife, Heather of Wyoming; Nicole Avey of Puerto Rico; six stepgrandchildren: Ivan Mieth and wife, Sandra of Del Rio; Donna and husband, Stephen Blake of Houston; Denise and husband, Fred Ariehiga; Deborah Dragoni; Colleen and husband, Barts Williams; Ashley Stone of Houston; twenty-five great grandchildren and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Letha; one son, David; four brothers; C.W., Joel, Leonard, Milton, one sister, Isabelle, and his second wife Renee. A memorial service was held at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. A private family burial will be held later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1215 N. Von Minden, La Grange, Texas 78945; Hospice  Brazos Valley, 1048 N. Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945; or to a charity of one’s choice. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home of La Grange was in charge of arrangements