Theodore Charles Koester

T C was born in Cuero, Texas, to Theo & Lily Zetik Koester. He moved to Brenham, Texas, as a young boy where he grew up. He attended Blinn Junior College and one year at Texas A&M majoring in engineering before moving to Houston, Texas. There he met and married the love of his life, Norma Fatland. They enjoyed a long and loving marriage of 58 years before her passing in 2015.

T C was a natural born mechanic. T C and a business partner owned a gas station in Houston. They sold the gas station because the land was used for the construction of Loop 610 at North Shepherd. Tens of thousands of people now pass daily over the land where his gas station once stood. That loss led to a 32 year career as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office. During that same period he worked part-time driving 18 wheelers for Central Freight Lines.

T C believed in giving back to the community he served. He served 8 years in the United States Naval Reserves. He worked long, hard hours yet made time to serve on the board of elders, board of trustees, headed up the ushers team and worked on the BBQ team for the annual picnic at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Houston. He also served several terms on the PTL board at Immanuel's school. He regularly donated plasma and was part of a group of letter carriers who donated blood to a young boy battling cancer. This was personal for T C as he lost his mother to cancer.

T C had a natural gift for making things. He spent many hours in his wood working shop. He particularly enjoyed making hand-turned wooden ink pens. He was an active member of the Houston Wood Workers' Club. He also enjoyed gardening and grew beautiful roses. It gave him great pleasure to go out to his garden everyday to cut a fresh rose to take to his wife. T C knew how to work hard but also remembered to enjoy his family and play.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Norma; his parents Theo & Lily Zetik Koester; step-mother Annie Schmidt Koester; sister Cynthia Koester and numerous relatives and friends. Also preceding him in death was his beloved beagle, Rosie.

He is survived by his daughter, Colleen Koester Dean and husband Charlie. Son David Koester and wife Ana.

He also leaves behind 5 grandsons and 2 great-grandsons. Mark Dean and wife Libby; Steven Dean; David Dean and wife Chandler and sons Clayton and Owen; Kevin Dean; Javier Coronado.

Your family and friends want to thank you for all the love, care and lessons you taught them. You will be greatly missed!

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.