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Pfeffer, CPL Milton Lee (1932-2013)
Obituary
Pfeffer, Milton Lee (-2013)
2013
Pfeffer
Milton Lee
2013
Bellville Times
Milton Lee Pfeffer was born to Wesley William Pfeffer and Eline Brast Pfeffer on May 20, 1932, on the Pfeffer homestead in Bellville. Following work, the family later moved to both Simonton and Rosenberg, before they returned to Bellville and settled near the old homestead. Milton was baptized with his brother, Wilford, at St. John Lutheran Church in Bellville by Pastor A. W. Weber on March 16, 1946. He was a member at St. John Lutheran where he had served as an usher in his younger years. He attended both the Bradbury and Piney Schools before attending Bellville High School. Six months prior to graduation, Milton, growing evermore unimpressed that Bellville High School did not compensate students to attend, quit and found various handyman and construction related jobs. However, he never considered high school a total waste. It was there he found his high school sweetheart, Carole Jane Brandt, who he married on June 24, 1951, at St. John Lutheran Church. He carried her Senior picture in his wallet until the day he died. Milton was drafted into the United States Army and stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso as the Korean War drew to an end. Milton and Carole lived in El Paso throughout Milton’s service in the Army. He quickly made the rank of Corporal, by ensuring communications were functioning properly, racing hot rods, and fighting the “Battle of El Paso,” as he and friends would joke. After his time in the service, Milton and Carole returned to Bellville to live with his brother, Wilford and wife, Gloria, while the two built their home on South Oak Street. Milton resumed work in construction and completed his GED. In his spare time, he attended Blinn Junior College where he learned the skills necessary to become both a licensed electrician and Bellville’s City Electrician. Milton later branched out and started his own company, Pfeffer Electric. He could fix or wire just about anything. Milton never had much of a need for the modern luxuries of fancy meters to check voltage. He always believed a wet finger with some spit on it was a far more reliable method of telling whether a wire was hot. His projects ranged from the Christmas lights on the city’s water tower and court house to Barry Galloway’s (later Red Adair’s) dance hall and saloon to countless homes across Bellville. In fact, the lights we are all sitting under in this building today are a shining example of Milton’s quality of work. What is less evident is the steep discount he gave a young family starting out, which shows his passion for helping his family and others. Milton loved hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Family fishing trips to Matagorda in a station wagon or the old Scout International inspired in his youngest daughter, Jan, a lifelong passion for fishing. Sunday drives looking for deer and other animals, inspired a love of hunting in his oldest daughter, Donna. Some of both Milton’s and his grandson’s fondest memories were made as he taught them to hunt, fish and camp at the “Pasture.” To his grandsons “Popo” was one of the toughest men they have ever met, but there is no question he had a soft spot in his heart for them. Popo would often put his own work second, because nothing was more important to him than making sure his grandsons knew how to properly ride on the bumper of his pickup or feed the catfish. He also never thought twice about giving the squirrel he planned on eating a proper burial to stop their tears or watching the big buck’s tail flag as it crossed the fence because the boys thought they needed a better look at him than he did. But, he also loved reminding them of those two times long into their adult lives. Milton enjoyed drinking beer and playing dominos at the Burleigh Store, cooking stews, frying fish, and, for a number of years, cooking at the Sheriff’s BBQ for law enforcement officers. He loved to hate his cattle, while he had them, and liked shooting pool with the Wednesday Night group in Brookshire, but could somehow only remember the games he won. The final 4½ years of Milton’s life he lived in Brookshire with his daughter Donna, and her husband, Wayne. He loved their dogs and cats, and they loved him, but only fed them because “someone had to.” He also loved getting to know his four great grandsons and was more proud of them than he was his Smith & Wesson .44 magnum. Milton is preceded in death by his parents, Wesley William Pfeffer and Eline Brast Pfeffer, his wife of 58 years, Carole, his son-in-law, Steve Schmidt, and sister-in-law, Linda Brandt. He is survived by his daughters Donna Schmidt Fricke and husband, Wayne, of Brookshire, Jan Barnett and husband, Jack, of La Porte; grandsons Steven Schmidt and wife, Dawn, of Weatherford, OK, Ryan Schmidt and wife, Jessica, of San Antonio; great grandsons Tyler Schmidt, Blake Schmidt, Cade Schmidt and Hudson Schmidt; brother Wilford Pfeffer and wife, Gloria, of Bellville; aunt Gladys Pfeffer of Bellville; sister-in-law: Jewel Fay Fontenot of Bellville; brother-in-law Glenn Brandt and wife, Jeannie, of Bellville, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Family received friends 5-7 p.m.., Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel in Bellville. A Funeral Service was held 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 9, 2013, at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bill Schwertlich officiating. Pallbearers were Steven Schmidt, Ryan Schmidt, Kenneth Wayne Fricke, Jack Barnett, Matt Waak and Bernie Boecker. Honorary pallbearers were Tyler Schmidt, Blake Schmidt, Cade Schmidt and Hudson Schmidt. Interment followed in the Pilgrims Rest Cemetery. Friends who wish may make Memorial Gifts to the Austin County Unit of the American Cancer Society, 1710 Meissner Rd., Bellville, TX 77418. Schmidt Funeral Home, 12029 Hwy 36 S., P.O. Box 610, Bellville, TX 77418 - 979-865-2424, www.schmidtfunerals.com Posted by Joy Neely
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