1916
Richard
2012
Richard Francis "Dick" Grunert
July 31, 1916 — January 31, 2012
Funeral services for Richard Francis "Dick" Grunert, Lt. Col. USAF retired, age 95, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2012 in the First United Methodist Church, Bonham, Texas. Mrs. Cindy Baker Burnett will officiate and be assisted by Richard Campbell, Liz Talbert and Morris Cook. Burial will follow in the Willow Wild Cemetery. Dick passed away Monday, January 31, 2012 at the Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas. Services are under the direction of Wise Funeral Home.
Dick was born on July 31, 1916 in Staten Island, New York, son of James E. Grunert and Ruberta Thompson Grunert. He graduated from Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1934, and entered Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. In college he played in the band and was a nationally ranked swimmer on the F&M College Swim Team and the York Aquatic Club. Dick graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a B.S. Degree in Economics in 1938.
Following graduation from college he was employed by WT Grant stores and served as store manager in several cities. He volunteered for military service in 1941 and took a military leave from Grant Stores. On May 6, 1941 he was called into the service and sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi in the Field Artillery. After six months of service he requested and was accepted into the Army Air Force. He received his Primary Flight Training at Hicks Field, Fort Worth, Texas. War was declared while he was stationed at Hicks Field. Upon completion of his Primary Training, he was sent to Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas for Basic Flight Training and then assigned to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas for Advanced Training. He graduated from Advanced Training on May 20, 1942 as a Pilot and 2nd Lieutenant. Additional assignments included Goodfellow Field as a Basic Flying Instructor and Jones Field, Bonham, Texas as an Air Corp Supervisor. While stationed at Jones Field, he met his future wife, Mary Katherine Miller. His final assignment in World War II was commander of American personnel stationed at the British Flying Field, Terrell, Texas. Richard (Dick) married Mary Katherine Miller on February 2, 1945 while stationed at Terrell. He stated it was the smartest thing he ever did. He separated from the service on January l, 1946 with the rank of Captain. Remaining in the Air Force Reserves he was recalled during the Korean War. He served 18 months during this tour of duty as an Advanced Instructor in Jet Flying and was stationed at Bryan Air Force Base, Bryan, Texas. Richard (Dick) retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Lt. Colonel on July 31, 1976 with twenty nine plus years of military service.
Following World War II Richard returned to work for WT Grant. In the Spring of 1947 he moved to Bonham, Texas to manage Hunt's Department Store. For over 35 years he managed the store, doubling its size and eventually becoming part owner. He retired in 1981 at the age of 65. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bonham where he served in various capacities for over 60 years. He was a charter member of the Bonham Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Bonham Lions Club, charter member of the Fannin County Bass Club and former member of the Bonham City Council.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Katherine Grunert, his parents, one brother and one sister.
He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Gail and John Morris of Sachse; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Karen Grunert of Cleburne; brother-in-law, Bradford Miller of Bonham; grandchildren, Kelli M. Cooper and husband, Brad of McKinney, Jodi M. Newman and husband, Ryan of Rowlett, Jaime G. Moss and husband, Steve of Rogers, Ark., Jon Grunert of New York, NY, Justin Grunert of Burleson and four great grandchildren, Konner Cooper, Kennedi Cooper, Avery Newman and Ella Newman.
Pallbearers will be Gene Danner, Glen Taylor, Rod Rawls, Juan Jones, Steve Moss, Justin Grunert, Brad Cooper, and Ryan Newman.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Fannin County Division or the Fannin County Historical Museum.
The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. until service time Friday. Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com
Dick was born on July 31, 1916 in Staten Island, New York, son of James E. Grunert and Ruberta Thompson Grunert. He graduated from Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1934, and entered Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. In college he played in the band and was a nationally ranked swimmer on the F&M College Swim Team and the York Aquatic Club. Dick graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a B.S. Degree in Economics in 1938.
Following graduation from college he was employed by WT Grant stores and served as store manager in several cities. He volunteered for military service in 1941 and took a military leave from Grant Stores. On May 6, 1941 he was called into the service and sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi in the Field Artillery. After six months of service he requested and was accepted into the Army Air Force. He received his Primary Flight Training at Hicks Field, Fort Worth, Texas. War was declared while he was stationed at Hicks Field. Upon completion of his Primary Training, he was sent to Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas for Basic Flight Training and then assigned to Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas for Advanced Training. He graduated from Advanced Training on May 20, 1942 as a Pilot and 2nd Lieutenant. Additional assignments included Goodfellow Field as a Basic Flying Instructor and Jones Field, Bonham, Texas as an Air Corp Supervisor. While stationed at Jones Field, he met his future wife, Mary Katherine Miller. His final assignment in World War II was commander of American personnel stationed at the British Flying Field, Terrell, Texas. Richard (Dick) married Mary Katherine Miller on February 2, 1945 while stationed at Terrell. He stated it was the smartest thing he ever did. He separated from the service on January l, 1946 with the rank of Captain. Remaining in the Air Force Reserves he was recalled during the Korean War. He served 18 months during this tour of duty as an Advanced Instructor in Jet Flying and was stationed at Bryan Air Force Base, Bryan, Texas. Richard (Dick) retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Lt. Colonel on July 31, 1976 with twenty nine plus years of military service.
Following World War II Richard returned to work for WT Grant. In the Spring of 1947 he moved to Bonham, Texas to manage Hunt's Department Store. For over 35 years he managed the store, doubling its size and eventually becoming part owner. He retired in 1981 at the age of 65. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bonham where he served in various capacities for over 60 years. He was a charter member of the Bonham Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Bonham Lions Club, charter member of the Fannin County Bass Club and former member of the Bonham City Council.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Katherine Grunert, his parents, one brother and one sister.
He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Gail and John Morris of Sachse; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Karen Grunert of Cleburne; brother-in-law, Bradford Miller of Bonham; grandchildren, Kelli M. Cooper and husband, Brad of McKinney, Jodi M. Newman and husband, Ryan of Rowlett, Jaime G. Moss and husband, Steve of Rogers, Ark., Jon Grunert of New York, NY, Justin Grunert of Burleson and four great grandchildren, Konner Cooper, Kennedi Cooper, Avery Newman and Ella Newman.
Pallbearers will be Gene Danner, Glen Taylor, Rod Rawls, Juan Jones, Steve Moss, Justin Grunert, Brad Cooper, and Ryan Newman.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Fannin County Division or the Fannin County Historical Museum.
The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church from 10:00 a.m. until service time Friday. Online guest register www.wisefuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Francis "Dick" Grunert, please visit our flower store.
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