S. J. "Pete" Wrigge

S. J. "PETE" WRIGGE

PORT LAVACA - S.J. "Pete" Wrigge, 89, of Port Lavaca, formerly of Victoria, died Wednesday, June 6, 2007. He was born Sept. 20, 1917 in Greenville, to the late William J. and Frances Wrigge.
He attended public schools in Greenville and Wesley Junior College. He moved with his family to Victoria in 1950 to become parts and service supervisor for Timberlake Motors, then the authorized Ford Dealer. During his stay in Victoria, he was president of the Boulevard Lions Club. The first Lions Club picnic area in Riverside Park was initiated during his time with the Lions. He was appointed to the First Victoria Planning Council, a group who would envision the development of Zac Lentz Parkway, John Stockbauer Drive and the ultimate Victoria Mall. Other members of this council included Archie Elder, H. C. Boek, J. T. Linebaugh, Jr., Grady Hollingsworth, Albert York, R. D. Smith Jr., Dr. Joe Cullen, Bob Cantwell, Virgil Tilton, John Stockbauer and Judge Frank Crain. It is believed that Mr. Wrigge was the last living member of this group. He moved with his family to Port Lavaca in 1963 and was associated with several automobile agencies along the Gulf Coast. He retired from Goad Motor Company of Victoria in 1983, having spent 37 years in the automobile business. Mr. Wrigge enjoyed writing articles of interest to the newspapers and fishing the Gulf of Mexico. In 1994, The First Annual Anglers Marine Land MAKO Fishing Tournament was sponsored by the Galveston Yacht Club. Mr. Wrigge was honored as being the oldest participant.
He was a veteran of World War II; having enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1941. He moved up through the enlisted ranks including Master Sergeant. He received his first commission Nov. 11, 1942 and would attain the rank of Captain before his discharge at wars end. He was a member of American Legion Post 166 in Victoria and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca.
He is survived by his sons, Joe Wrigge and wife Dorothy of Houston and Bill Wrigge and wife Gerri of Fredericksburg; daughter, Rosemary Estenson and husband Richard of Fredericksburg; grandsons, Trevor and Evan Wrigge of College Station; granddaughters, Courtney and Hailey Estenson of College Station; and sister, Evelyn Pickren of Beaumont.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalie; and brothers, Glen of Dallas and Bill of Austin.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2007 at Colonial Funeral Home in Victoria.
Funeral Services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday with, the Reverend John Brantly of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca officiating.
Burial with Military Honors by the Victoria Veterans Council, AL, CWV, VFW, DAV, MCL, MOWW, Ex-POW, MOPH, VVA and the KWV will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are Bill, Joe, Trevor, and Evan Wrigge, Richard Estenson and Jake Lindsey.
Colonial Funeral Home, 361-578-3535
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