WOODROW BENJAMIN “WOODY” MEHRKAM

Husband of Lucille Clepper Mehrkam, AAFA #0032

1918–2009

 

 

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Houston, Harris Co., TX—Sunday, 30 August 2009

 

            Woodrow Benjamin Mehrkam, 90, died August 28, 2009 in Houston. He was born October 9, 1918 in Waller, Texas to Benjamin Harrison Mehrkam and Alma Johanna Mayer. His mother's family came to Texas from Germany in September of 1846, and the Mehrkam family came from Germany to Pennsylvania on September 17, 1738.

            Woody attended the Kickapoo and Waller schools and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps F. 28-A Co. 2881 from October 14, 1937 thru May 20, 1938 at Portal, Arizona. He was inducted into the Army in 1941 and served as a Sgt. in the 5th Air Force, 433 Troop Carrier Group, South Pacific , during the occupation of Japan, and received his discharge in 1946 at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.

            After the war, Woody went to work for the McReynolds Printing Co., then Gulf Printing Co. until his retirement, after 31 years, in 1983. Woody was a Master Mason in good standing at the Grand Lodge of Texas, Garden Oaks for over 50 years.

            He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lela Ann Mehrkam in 1957.

            He married Lucille Clepper on December 14, 1946, and she survives him. He is also survived by son, Thomas Owen Mehrkam and his wife Patricia; daughter, Sandy Andrew and her husband Marvin Rincker; grandson, Loren C. Andrew; granddaughter, Celine-Marie Webb; great grandchildren, Ryan Calvin and McKenzie Lynn Andrew; and his brother, Carl Mehrkam.

            Visitation will be held at Garden Oaks Baptist Church from 5-7PM Monday, August 31, 2009 with a funeral service to follow at Garden Oaks Baptist Church, 3206 N. Shepherd, Houston TX 77018. A graveside service will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at Brookside Memorial Park, 13401 Eastex Freeway at Lauder Rd.

            For those that desire, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to American Diabetes Association .