George Friedrich

George W. Friedrich, 90, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 22, 1917, in Jackson, son of August and Martha Ann Snider Friedrich. He and Shirley Allgaier were married Aug. 12, 1946, in Littleton, Colo.

George was a 1935 graduate of Jackson High School. After high school, he worked at the former International Shoe Co. and then the former Wagner Machine Shop in Jackson. From 1942 to 1944 he worked at Kaiser Shipyard in California.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army Jan. 21, 1944, and was honorably discharged Jan. 13, 1947, as a Tech 3.

He returned to Jackson and was a car salesman at Ford Groves for two years. In 1957 he opened the former Friedrich Auto in Jackson, which was incorporated in 1961 along with Gene Harris. He retired in 1970.

While managing the car business, George also farmed and was a breeder of Charolais cattle and Yorkshire hogs.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson and the National Rifle Association.

His favorite pastime was spending time with his family, although he truly enjoyed farming, wildlife and the many species of birds on the family farm.

In addition to his loving wife of 61 years, survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Clyde Spurgeon of Jackson, Elizabeth and Dennis Overy of Oak Ridge; two sons, Robert Joe Dix and fiancee Jill of St. Louis, Thadius Jiles and fiancee Evelyn of Bolivar, Mo.; a sister, Elsie Barrett of Jackson; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Kelly Friedrich, Feb. 9, 1962, three brothers, three sisters and a great-granddaughter.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Henrichs officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery, with graveside military honors to be conducted.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Lutheran Family and Children's Services or St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.