Funeral services for Leon Hugo Schrader, 100, will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague. Bro. Scott Matthews will officiate. Interment will follow the services at Greenwood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday with the family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. Schrader passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Parkview Regional Hospital in Mexia.
Leon Hugo Schrader was born on October 20, 1922 in Bellville, Texas to parents, Henry H. & Annie Hold Susen Schrader. He married Katharine Gussey Fredenrich in 1943 in Dallas, Texas. She was the daughter of Gus and Eva Harper Fredenrich of Teague. She passed away in 1957. Leon married Mrs. Margretta June Kerr Stark in 1960 and they shared almost 35 years before her passing in 1995. He married Rosemary Fredenrich Taylor in July 1995, and upon his passing they had shared almost 27 years of marriage together.
In 1942, Mr. Schrader joined the service. He was honorably discharged in 1945 from the U.S. Army Air Force with the rank of Corporal. He then moved to Teague and began working as a mechanic for J.W. Hawkins’ Garage, located on the Dew Highway. From 1947 until 1950 he was employed at Riley-Boyd Motor Company in Teague. For a period of two months, he operated a garage of his own on Fifth and Elm Street in the Alexander building; which has since been demolished. From 1950 to 1951 he was located in the building on Cedar Street directly across from his present location.
In 1951, he purchased his first building from H. C. McMichael, Jr., at 311 Cedar Street. This building had a dirt floor, which was soon concreted, and the walls plastered. Leon made his own front doors and windows. In 1967, seven lots were purchased on South Fourth Avenue for storage of automobiles, and a cyclone fence was erected. In 1969, two buildings and four lots were purchased from Larry E. Cook for additional storage. As time progressed, he purchased adjoining lots and buildings, and in 1973 new awnings, glass doors, overhanging doors and windows, modernized his establishment. In 1970, 1976, and 1981, twelve lots were purchased on the north side of Cedar Street for additional garage use. Leon had four full-time employees and three part-time employees. Leon had trained many young men to be automobile mechanics over the years. His employment and pleasure was knowing that he had been of service to many people in this area.
Since he had closed his business of over 70 years and had always supported kids throughout the Tri-County Area in sports and other organizations, Mr. Schrader was given a certificate and a Gold Key to the city by the Chamber of Commerce on his 100th birthday celebration in the presence of his family and friends. That day was proclaimed Leon Schrader Day by the Alderman of the City of Teague for all his support and dedication over the years.
Mr. Schrader will always be remembered by family, friends and customers for his kindness and generosity, including donating the land for the Teague Volunteer Fire Dept.
He is survived by his wife of almost 27 years, Rosemary Schrader of Teague; three step-daughters, Laura Harrison & husband Roy of Lufkin, Susan Burrell & husband Keith of Beaumont, and Glenda Buck & husband Charles of Teague; eight grandchildren, Brandon Harrison, Loretta Harrison, Mark Fulcher, Kamerin Fulcher, Leah Buck Boehnemann & husband Dwayne, Mitchell Buck, Chloe Burrell Secreti & husband Anthony, and Chase Burrell & wife Anna; eight great-grandchildren, Seth Harrison, Riley Fulcher, Case Fulcher, Greta Theiss & husband Ty, Alex Fuentes, Gabby Boehnemann, Alex Ellis & wife Tierra, Connor Buck, and Michael Buck; one great-great-granddaughter, Tessa Theiss; one niece, numerous nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Mr. Schrader was preceded in death by two wives, Katharine Schrader and Margretta Schrader; his parents, H. H. & Annie Schrader; five brothers, Owen, Bill, Herbert, Monroe and Junior Schrader; and one niece, Marquetta Schrader.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 791, Teague, TX 75860.
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome.net to sign the online guestbook or leave a message for the family.
