Vernon Guy Friedrich

Born Vernon Guy Friedrich on June 14, 1942 in Houston, Texas to Beatrice Iva and Robert Edwin, Sr. Friedrich and passed away January 12, 2016 with family at his side.

He grew up on a dairy in South Texas with his brothers and sister in Nechanitz, Fayette County. He met his life-long sweetheart, Bonnie Otto. They married June 13, 1964 in LaGrange, Texas.

Vernon started his career with American Breeder Service to serve the North Texas Region in 1965, and was considered a pioneer in the artificial insemination industry which he continued until his death. They first had a home in Sanger, Texas and then bought their own dairy farm and moved to Gainesville, Texas. He started out in a flat floor milk parlor and milked about an average of 100 cows at a time. He built a new dairy barn and continued milking until 1990.

Vernon took on side jobs while having the dairy. He was deputy sheriff and juvenile probation officer in Cooke County. He was involved in his community. One of his proudest projects was building the Boys Club Football field. He served on organizations with American Milk Producers, Gainesville Jaycees, and Knights of Columbus. He was the founder of the Red River Valley Angus Association.

While being so involved he raised his family on the dairy teaching them work ethics from feeding baby calves, milking cows, and cutting & bailing hay.

Vernon was preceded in death by his sister Barbara Lowery; his mother and father, Beatrice & Robert Friedrich.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his brother David Friedrich and spouse Norma; his brother Bobby Friedrich and spouse Coralie; his children Kathy Estes and her spouse Randall and their children Ryland, Krystal and Kaytland; Tina Sennikoff Powell and her spouse Danny Powell and their children Stevie, Nikki, Mikka, Rikki, Brady, Haly, and Hana; Parker Friedrich and his spouse Cindy and their children Dally, Sterling, and Brax; Brenda Cassidy and her spouse Mike Rocha and their children Payton, Madyson, Dawson, Bri, Brooke and Bradly. He is also survived by his great-grandkids Ty, Brantley, Audrey, and Bentley and his many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive visitors and recite Rosary on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 6:30 PM at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Friday, Jan. 15 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church.

Donations may be made to St. Mary’s School or Friends of Valley View.

Pallbearers are Joe Wilkerson, Roger Wann, James Sasser, Stuart Lowery, Bill Friedrich, and Ed Friedrich. Honorary pallbearers are Stevie Sennikoff, Brady Sennikoff, Dawson Cassidy, Sterling Friedrich, Ryland Estes, and Bradly Rocha.