Harry James Saenger

He leaves his wife of 65 years, Carrie (Wood) Saenger; his children, Kimberly Efurd (and her husband, Mike), Teri Laguarta (and her husband, Kirk), Keith Saenger (and his wife, DeAnna); his seven grandchildren, Justin Efurd (and his wife, Jamie), Katie Anderson (and her husband, Aaron), Sarah Miles (and her husband, Chase), Kyle Schoener, Lindsey Schoener, Ryan Saenger, and Blake Saenger; 7 great grandchildren, Allison Efurd, Cameron Anderson, Trevor Anderson, Callie Efurd, Logan Miles, Michael Miles, and Olivia Anderson; his brother, Elmo Saenger; his sister, Willie Mae Burns; and many close friends.

Born September 25, 1929 in Danevang, Texas, the son of William Albert and Ahrone Helena (Schmiedekamp) Saenger, was raised in Giddings, Texas, and spent much of his life as a resident of Houston, Texas.

In his early years, Mr. Saenger spent lots of time working on the family farm. After graduating from Giddings High School in 1948, he moved to Galveston where he worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. After returning to Giddings for a dance one evening, he reconnected with his wife, Carrie Wood, for a long night of dancing that led to the two getting married in 1952 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church. He joined The United States Army in 1951 where he was a Sergeant in the 1st Signal Company, 1st Infantry Division, was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana and White Sands, New Mexico, and deployed to Germany during the Korean War.

After serving in The United States Army for two years, Mr. Saenger went back to work for Southern Pacific Railroad in Houston, Texas. While working here, he also attended college at The University of Houston and graduated in 1958 with a degree in electrical engineering. After graduating, he held a position with Edison Battery before joining Tideland Signal as a salesman. He continued to devote his career to Tideland Signal and retired as President & CEO and a member on the Board of Directors in 2001.

Mr. Saenger had a strong passion for family and was an avid hunter, fisher and craftsman. He was also a very active member of Advent Lutheran Church. He will be remembered by all as a caring, hardworking, loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed by many.

Mr. Saenger was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ahrone Saenger; and his brother, Albert Fritz Saenger.

A funeral service was held on January 17 at 10:00am at Advent Lutheran Church, 5820 Pinemont Dr, Houston, TX 77092, followed by a committal service at 3:30pm at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home, 3950 E. Austin, Giddings, TX. Burial was in Giddings City Cemetery in Giddings, Texas.

Waltrip Funeral Dirceotrs is located at 1415 Campbell Rd, Houston, TX 77055 however, in lieu of flowers, the family asked that you consider donations to Advent Lutheran Church.