Howard Freund

Howard Freund, age 93, of Gholson, passed away late Monday afternoon, August 31, 2020 at Providence Health Center in Waco. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2020 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Todd Pick and Rev. Ann Hitt officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery in West, conducted by West Veterans Honor Guard. A come-and-go visitation will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Limited capacity available for services, with masks and social distancing required. Howard was born June 13, 1927 in West, the son of the late Hugo and Allie (Christian) Freund, and brother of the late Carl Freund. He was a 1944 graduate of West High School and went on to receive his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Baylor University. Howard also attended the University of Texas in Austin. Howard proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the World War II. On July 12, 1948 he was united in marriage to Gaynelle Cox in West. Howard was a longtime and faithful member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Gholson. He was a teacher for the Waco Independent School District for many years before retiring in 1992. He also officiated both junior high and high school basketball games as a referee for several years. Howard enjoyed working on electronics, being a Hamm Radio Operator, building two houses, photography, gardening and farming, sharing war stories about his days as a “Tin Can Sailor,” singing in the church choir and delivering meals in the Gholson area for Meals on Wheels. Howard was also an instrumental part of founding the Sokol Gymnastics Club in West and helped coach gymnastics in the early days of Sokol West. Survivors include his beloved wife of 72 years, Gaynelle Freund of Waco; his son, Clayton Freund and wife Laura of Gholson; his daughter, Nancy Grant and husband Rusty of West Monroe, LA; grandchildren, Sharee Perez and husband Stephen, Clayton Joe Freund and Asher Grant; great grandchildren, Alianna and Antonio Juarez and twin boys on the way very soon; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Clayton Joe Freund, Laura Freund, Rusty Grant, Lucas Colt Ketchum, Jody Brisco, Harry Harrington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels or Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Gholson.