Charles Fehr

1950 - 2015

Charles Stephen Fehr of Westover Hills, known to his many friends and family as "Steve," passed away Sunday, July 26, 2015, at the age of 64. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed in Steve's name to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or to any charitable organization listed here. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas. Beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, Steve was born in Little Rock, Ark., on Sept. 14, 1950, and was raised in Dallas. Steve attended Hillcrest High School in Dallas and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1974 with a degree in business. Steve was a member of Phi Delta Theta and enjoyed lifelong friends through that association. A veteran of the baking industry, Steve founded Fehr Foods Inc. in Abilene in 1992. Over the next 20 years, Steve transformed the company from a moribund regional baker with fewer than 30 employees into a modern manufacturing operation that produced and distributed its own Lil' Dutch Maid brand and other private-label cookies nationwide. In 2011, Fehr Foods was acquired by Grupo Nutresa, S.A., a food processing conglomerate headquartered in Medellin, Colombia. Steve continued to serve as an advisor and member of the board of directors of Fehr Foods until shortly before his death. Fehr Foods, now known as AbiMar Foods Inc., remains one of the largest employers in the region. The success of Fehr Foods and his personal involvement in the Abilene community were two of Steve's proudest accomplishments. Equally rewarding were the personal and business relationships Steve developed during his 50 years in the baking industry. Following the sale of Fehr Foods, Steve pursued mining and exploration interests in southern Utah, an enterprise with which the Fehr family has been involved for more than 60 years. An Eagle Scout, Steve loved the outdoors and particularly enjoyed his travels in the American Southwest. Steve was an accomplished private pilot with thousands of flight hours, and his general passion for aviation led him to serve as a director on the Abilene Airport Development Board. Steve served on numerous other for-profit and non-profit boards, including the Abilene Industrial Foundation and the Biscuit and Crackers Manufacturing Association. Steve was also an active member in good standing of the Privy Council. A Christian, Steve was an involved member of his church and Sunday school class in Abilene at First Central Presbyterian. Steve was preceded in death by his father, I.N. "Newt" Fehr and his faithful canines, Frank, Blackjack and Rebel. Steve combined his love of dogs and the outdoors during long hikes on and about Steamboat Mountain, near Buffalo Gap. Steve was accompanied in death by his cherished wife, Vicki, his joyous partner of 42 years. Survivors: Mother, Doris Dickey Fehr of Dallas; brother, Roger Fehr of Austin; son, Bart Fehr of Houston; son, Brian Fehr of Dallas; granddaughters, Vail Linnea Fehr and London Jean Fehr of Minneapolis, Minn., and granddaughter Charlotte Lucile Fehr of Houston. Known as "Granddaddy" to Vail, London, and Charlotte, Steve was anticipating the birth of twin grandchildren, Alice Victoria and namesake Charles Boone. He is also survived by his devoted dog, Max.