Wilson J. Frederick
Published 12:59 am Monday, January 31, 2011
Wilson J. Frederick, 86, of Nederland, Texas went to meet the Lord on January 29, 2011 at Llano Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Llano, Texas. Wilson was born in Sulphur, Louisiana on February 2, 1924 and resided in Nederland, Texas for over seventy-seven years. He made a difference in so many lives by his love, loyalty and commitment. Wilson was a “Servant” in many ways.
Wilson was born the fourth child of seven. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Ouida Wooten and Norma Smith; and his three brothers, Murphy, Walter and Robert. He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Rita Anne Frederick; six children, Lawrence “Fred’ Frederick, Rita Kathleen Frederick Lynch, Paul David Frederick, Imelda Anne Frederick Gulley, John Wilson Frederick, and Theresa Gay Frederick Sherley. He is also survived by seventeen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and his brother Raymond J. Frederick and his wife Evelyn of Nederland.
Wilson was a Nederland Bulldog to his core. He was one of the “Fearless Foursome” players that took Nederland to the Regional Championship in 1942. The “Fearless Foursome,” Burton Pousson, Anthony Concienne, Allen Root and Wilson were honored fifty years later in 1982 at a celebration. Years later the discarded 1942 Championship trophy was found and given to Wilson’s son, John, who was a Bulldog himself. John refurbished it and gave it to his Dad as a gift. Wilson and the “Foursome” were honored again in 2008 at a Nederland High School Pep Rally where Wilson donated the refurbished 1942 trophy to Nederland High School. Wilson continued his loyal support to the Bulldogs by attending Friday night games into his 80’s.
Wilson proudly served his country during World War II. He joined the Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Signalman 3rd Class. He felt very privileged to have served his country and continued friendships with some of his Navy buddies for over sixty years.
He was an active member of St. Charles Church for over sixty years. In 1984, he was President of Parish Council, a Eucharistic Minister for many years and helped in a number of committees and service groups. He and his wife Rita were acting coordinators for the Parish Renew Program, a number of discussion clubs, parent education, CCD, family enrichment groups, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, ACTS, baptismal catechesis and Pre-Cana. Wilson served with the Knights of Columbus for over sixty years. One of Wilson’s favorite service opportunities was to deliver Meals-on-Wheels. He did that for over thirteen plus years. His close friend, David Carpenter, helped him for a number of years until he passed.
Wilson gave thirty-eight years of service to Union Oil and retired in 1983 as a train engineer. In 1983, Wilson and his son Paul opened “Wilson’s Wood Works.” Some of their projects included jobs for Holy Family Retreat Center, St. Charles Church and St. Anne’s Rectory.
In 1985 Wilson was offered the first “Caretaker’ job opportunity at Holy Family Retreat Center. He and his wife, Rita, moved to the Holy Family Center, in Beaumont, in 1985. He worked closely with Reverend Father Michael A. Jamail and a number of Incarnate Word Sisters, Dominican Sisters and Sisters of the Eucharistic Covenant. He proudly celebrated another retirement from Holy Family Center in 1991.
He was loyal and committed to his friends and family. One example is the fun and support group, the “Cheap Night Bunch.” They began in 1991 after Ricky Concienne died. Wilson and Rita, Denver and Gwen Knowles, Patsy and Ernie Collins decided to meet with Dot and Anthony Concienne to support them through the tragedy of Ricky’s death. They often met at the Pompano Club where they could eat and dance for “cheap.” Denver named them the C.N.B. Club; they met for many years and were and still are a strong support group for each other in life and death.
In addition to caring for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, he was a vigilant and loyal Caretaker for his Mother; his sister, Ouida; and his brother Robert, until they passed. Wilson extended his family every chance he got, he had close personal friends of over seventy plus years, in his church, his community and across the country.
Wilson loved to laugh, dance and sing; he made a life of it. He was a true entertainer and never met a stranger. He loved to sing a Cajun-French song his Daddy taught him and danced every opportunity he had. He and his friend David Carpenter, even joined a line dancing club.
He loved exercising at the YMCA, which he did into his 80’s. He loved working in his yard of sixty years. He had the most beautiful lilies and fruit trees.
Wilson’s greatest service and love was to his family. He loved his “Great Family Gatherings” at his home in Nederland. For over fifty plus years, Wilson would cook his famous bar-be-que and the menu contained much love, laughter, hugs, great food, games beer and fun. He loved to play horse shoes and hug his grandchildren. WILSON LOVED LIFE and WAS BIGGER THAN LIFE!
On behalf of the Frederick family, they would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for all the prayers, love and concern shown to the family during Wilson’s illness. They would especially note their appreciation and thanks to the exceptional care and love given to Wilson by the employees and administration at Llano Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Care Inn of Llano) in Llano, Texas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church followed by burial at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 12th Street, Nederland. A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday evening, February 1, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m. at Broussard’s.
The family would request memorial donations to Llano Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Care Inn of Llano), Attention: Susan Stewart, 800 West Haynie, Llano, Texas 78643 or any Alzheimer Research Organization.
Complete and updated information may be found at www.broussards1889.com