Fred Goree Jr.

1935 - 2021

Fred H. Goree, Jr.
1935-2021
Frederick Hayes Goree, Jr., of Bellaire, joined his Lord on Monday morning, the 18th of January 2021. He was 85 years of age.
Fred's life mirrored the importance of his close relationship with God, the love of his family, his life-long pursuit of music and architecture.
He mastered the pedal steel guitar at the age of 13 and started playing professionally with some of the best in country music, including T. Texas Tyler, Willie Nelson, Elvis, Mel Tillis, Charlie Pride, Hank Williams and Ray Price to name a few. They all respected his unique talent on the steel. He was named Best Steel Guitar Player in Texas, and at the time of his death, he was playing with his last band of favorite musicians under the name, Still Swingin'. Now, he's playing live with a host of heaven's best musical talent.
Deciding early on that music didn't always pay the bills, Fred studied at Rice University School of Architecture and graduated in 1957 with a double degree and the top five in his class. His master thesis was on the correlation of musical rhythm as it pertained to architectural design. His presentation gained him the 1st and only standing ovation from the thesis committee.
Soon after, he started Goree Architects. He had a plan to call ten contacts for business. After contacting the first three on his list, he had enough business to last him. One of his early designs, the Pizza Hut building was featured on Johnny Carson. From there Fred designed thousands of auto dealerships from coast to coast spanning five decades and became one of the most recognized, nationally known, award winning architects in the auto industry.
With all his many accomplishments, he was first and foremost a servant to God, a teacher, a deacon in his church, a husband, a father and an inspiration to so many who were blessed to know him. He always saw the positive in every person and situation. His family and friends called him a wholesome human with true righteousness. He didn't have time for stress or worry. He left that to God.
Fred was a deacon at the West University Baptist Church, a member of the American Institute of Architects, an associate member of the Houston Automobile Dealers' Association, the Texas Steel Guitar Association, the Southwestern Swing Association and was a member of the Rotary Club of University Area Houston and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Jewell Ann. Fred is also survived by Yvonne Hastings and their children, Lindi Braddock (Kenny), Donald Hayes Goree, Kelli Brennan (Michael), and Yvette Kirkland (Robert); his grandchildren, Camaron Pruiett, John Surovik (Abby), Christine Ogurick (Matthew), Clayton Hayes Goree, Jennifer Haring, Courtney Blake (Matthew), Cody Brennan, Steven Craney (Erin), Eric Craney, and Tyler Blazier (Miriam), as well as twenty great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his brother, Dennis Goree (Charlene), his sister, Dana Goree, his brother-in-law, Jon R. Peterson (Mary), and their son, Christopher Ray Peterson (Tiffany) and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Bette June Goree.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from ten until eleven o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 22nd of January, at West University Baptist Church, 6218 Auden Street, where a funeral service will commence at eleven o'clock.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Byler, John Jones and Mark Dressen.
The family will gather for a private interment at Midway Cemetery in Midway, Texas.
Please visit Fred's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.