Milton Fritz Walther

Memorial services for Milton Fritz Walther, 89, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Lufkin with Pastor Frank Starr officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mr. Walther was born March 16, 1925 in Thrall, Texas, one of five children born to Fritz and Welma (Weber) Walther. He died Tuesday, January 20, 2015 in a local hospice facility.

After high school, Milton went to San Antonio and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He got his wings on his 19th birthday and was a pilot from 1944-1949. His dreams of being a career pilot ended when he broke his neck surfing in Hawaii. After one year of rehabilitation in San Francisco, he attended the University of Texas in Austin. He met Anne Blasig, married December 27, 1950, and moved to the married students Brackenridge Apartments. He completed his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Anne pursued her artistic talents, studying art at UT Austin. Their son Steven and daughter Vickie were born during this time in Austin.

Upon graduation, Milton and his family moved to Lufkin where he began his career with Lufkin Foundry and Machine Co. Son Bruce was born in Lufkin and the life of a father of three took off.

Working steadfastly as an engineer, he achieved the title of Chief Engineer of the Oilfield Division. During his 31 year career, he traveled the world to South America, Europe, Asia, Indonesia and Africa.

Milton made time for his family. Summer vacations in the stationwagon to Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado, and the Rio Grande Valley were common destinations. Also was boating at area lakes for fishing and water skiing.

The parental emphasis on education and excellent grades translated to achievement of excellence by all three children.

In recent years, daughter Vickie lived much of the year in Lufkin, aiding him at home. He found a group of friends at water aerobics at Livewell and became close friends with Lisa Reid, her son Russell, who Milton called his “little buddy”, her husband Jeff, and his mother Reba. He also hosted several family reunions. His son Dr. Steven Walther died of ALS August 31, 2014.

Milton served as President of the Lufkin Texas Ex Club, President of the Pineywoods Chapter of Professional Engineers, member of the Mechanical Engineering Department at UT Austin, a devoted member and held positions of service at First Lutheran Church, Scout Leader of Troop 134, and active member of Lufkin Radio Controlled Modelers Club.

Survivors include his daughter, Vickie Walther; son, Bruce Walther; daughter-in-law, Barbara Walther; grandson, Dr. Stewart Walther; granddaughter, Katherine Hodges and husband Bill; great-grandson, James Hodges; great-granddaughter, Genevieve Hodges; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Priscilla Walther; sister-in-law, Harriett Walther; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 56 years, Carolyn Anne (Blasig) Walther; and son, Dr. Steven Walther.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church of Lufkin, 1001 Atkinson Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901 or the Ellen Trout Zoo, c/o City of Lufkin, P.O. Drawer 190, Lufkin, Texas 75902.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.