 |
Herbert F. 'Herb' Sleeper Wichita Falls, TX QCWA # 16053 Chapter 114 |
Herbert Franklin Sleeper, Sr., 83, of Wichita Falls, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2015.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 7, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Isaac Butterworth, officiating. Interment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park under the direction of Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls.
Herbert was born on November 1, 1932 in Arlington, Massachusetts to Edna Schoolcraft and Olie Sleeper. He enlisted in the USMC at age 18, and served in the Korean War for 3 tours, 4 tours in Vietnam and received numerous awards and medals such as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm and Frame. In April, 1965 at Cherrypoint, North Carolina, he and his wife, Roma, had twins, Frank and Heather. During this time he also learned to fly. He retired after 20 years in 1971 at the rank of Master Sergeant. After the USMC he worked at PPG where he remained until he retired yet again.
As a HAM radio operator, Herb would assist the community by 'storm chasing' as well as sending and receiving Military Affiliated Radio Service traffic, which he did until his final days.
Frank followed his dads' footsteps into the USMC and Heather serves as head nurse for a major trauma center.
On Nov. 1986, Herb married Joan Loveall. They moved to the Cashion community, where Herb became involved with the Friberg-Cooper Water Supply Corp. He served several terms as a board member and was the board president for 2 terms and was the serving president at the time of his passing. He was instrumental in getting several grants to improve the water system and he helped lay several miles of pipe to provide better water pressure to the members. He served as the emergency management coordinator for the city of Cashion. Herb was also involved in the formation of the Friberg-Cooper Volunteer Fire Department in 2006. Herb was a very active member of the fire department serving as a Captain and he recently completed the testing process for Firefighter ll. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, and participated in yearly missionary trips to Piedras Negras, Mexico to build houses for needy families.
Herb touched the lives of countless people, is known for his loving mischievous humor and will be greatly missed by his wife, .Joanie.; his son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Carol of San Diego, California; his daughter, Heather Byers of Reno, Nevada; his sister, Edna; and three grandchildren, Crystal, Danielle and Rachael.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home of Wichita Falls.