Roll Call Tribute

Published in Austin American-Statesman from Apr. 25 to Apr. 26, 2017

George Wesley HUMPHRIES III
HUMPHRIES III,
George Wesley
George Humphries of Austin, Texas, passed peacefully at his home on Friday, April 21. He was surrounded by his three children and grandson.

Dad was born May 4, 1921 and lived an active life to the age of 95 years old. He was born in Taft, Texas. At the age of 2 dad's pioneering father and mother moved to Old Mexico to establish a new life in the farming and cattle industry. His mother home schooled him and his father taught him to love the land and nature.

Dad loved telling stories of his childhood of growing up in the "Wild West" of Mexico, stories of riding horses and driving trucks cross country with shotguns in hand. One of his favorites was the night a group of "banditos" circled their home and his dad and him stood their ground with rifles in hand till they gave up and rode off into the night.

At the age of 15 his parents sent him to the states to attend Schreiner University in Kerrville. He later attended Texas A&M University in College Station. His studies there were interrupted when World War II broke out and he enlisted in the army.

He served in the 95th Infantry Division of Patton's third army. He saw action in the Saar Valley and at the Metz where the division earned the name "Iron Men of Metz". He was also one of the lead drivers in the Red Ball Express. Using his skills he developed in Mexico, he drove with no signs, lots of bumps and, of course, at full throttle, to deliver supplies and ammo to the front lines as they advanced.

After the war, dad returned to A&M and graduated. He then moved to Laredo with his wife, Joyce, to start a family. He worked with his father importing produce from their land in Mexico into the states. When his father passed, a major career and life change took place. He and his family moved to Austin, Texas where he began a career in real estate with Nash Phillips Copus. A few years later, his first wife passed and later he met and married his second wife, Pat. Together they formed a team selling real estate as George Humphries Real Estate, which continued until he was 80 years old. He and Pat enjoyed their retirement until her death in March of 2012.

Dad spent his remaining years in his home. His days were happy and busy taking care of his beloved yard and enjoying his family and friends. He was a lover of books. Zane Grey would keep him company till the wee hours of the morning. Dad never stopped. A few weeks prior to his passing, he proudly renewed his driver's license.

We will remember our dad as a kind, loving and generous father. A spiritual man and a lover of nature.

He is survived by his three children, one step daughter and two grandchildren. Son George Humphries, daughter Patti Humphries and her partner, John Pfeffer, and daughter Eva Counts and her husband Jay. His stepdaughter Michelle Pfeil and husband Doug. His granddaughter Katie Pfiel and her husband Frank, and his grandson Jacob Boesch.

Dad was preceded in death by his two wives, Joyce and Pat. and his stepson Mark Boesch.

A private service will be held in his honor.