Fred Thummel

Fred Thummel was born December 23, 1930 to Elizabeth Hake Thummel and Vince Thummel on the family farm in Tipton, Kansas.  He attended grade and high school in Tipton.  After high school graduation, he joined the United States Navy and was sent to San Diego, California for boot camp. Following that, he attended the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and he remained in the Naval Reserve.  He was called back to duty during the Korean conflict, where he served as a medical corpsman.  Upon his return to home, he was sent to El Toro Marine base in Pendleton, California.  He was honorably discharged in November, 1952.  He then came to Midland to join his brother Gene as an airport limousine driver at which he worked for ten years until his brothers Gene and Don passed away.  Subsequently he went to work for the US Post Office as a clerk and rose to become Mail Processing Manager.  Fred loved his work and was a proud postal employee for 35 years.

In, June 1952, Fred married Lucy at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas.  They were blessed with two children, William (Mike) and Cindy.  After retiring from the Post Office, Fred and Lucy enjoyed traveling to Europe, Australia and throughout the USA.  But his favorite place was Casalala in Manzanillo, MX where son Mike has a winter home.

Fred was a member of Saint Ann’s Church for 69 years.  During this time, Fred loved singing at church and attending the Family Fairs, where he started the popular sno-cone booth, and worked there for many years.  Fred was also a member of the downtown Lions Club, NARFL, and the Midland Tennis Club.

Fred was the essence of a kind, Christian person. Everyone who had the good fortune to have known him will attest to his generosity, his gentlemanly manners, and his innate sense of goodness.

Fred is survived by this wife Lucy, son Mike and partner Mary Taylor, who reside in Delavan, WI, and daughter Cindy and partner Richard Swinton, who reside in Clunes, NSW Australia; grandchildren: Morgan Thummel (Forest Park, IL), Nigel Jordan (Adelaide, Southern Australia), Emily Jordan Pett and husband Akash (Lillian Rock, NSW Australia); great- grandchildren: Ella and Inez Jordan and Yoshi and Kai Pett.  Survivors also include his sister Connie Tande (Austin, TX), Sister-in-Law Mary Truex (Midland, TX), Sister-in-Law Elizabeth Paz (El Paso, TX), Brother-in-Law Raul Aguirre (Montecito, CA), and beloved niece Janelle Edwards (Midland, TX).

Fred’s family would like to thank Eva Chacon and Jennifer Rubio, as well as Kindred Hospice and Cowden Cottage for all of their support and loving care.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Fred’s name to Helping Hands (Midland, TX) or Manor Park (Midland, TX).

Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 20, 2022 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.  Memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 21, 2022 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.