Frederick "Freddy" Wheeler Fagan

Freddy was born October 19, 1919 on the Fagan Ranch in Refugio County to the late Frederick W. Fagan and Zilpha Putnam Fagan. He was the great grandson of Nicholas Fagan, a Texas Patriot who survived the Fannin Massacre and settled in Refugio County in 1829. Later Nicholas became part of the Irish Power Hewetson Colony in 1832. Freddy and other family members have continued to ranch and live on the same property for the past 181 years.

Freddy served in the Army during World War II. He returned to the ranch and continued his love of cattle ranching. He produced rodeos on the ranch, and provided stock for other rodeos in the area.

He was a Refugio County Commissioner from March 1, 1972 until retiring December 31, 1986. Upon retirement, he continued his ranching operations on the Fagan Ranch.

He was also a dedicated Christian and deacon at the Tivoli Presbyterian Church. He was best known for never meeting a stranger and Freddy had many close friends, who lived on the surrounding ranches and who worked on the Fagan Ranch. One of his special attributes was his love for teaching young people how to ride and handle a horse. He taught many of the local ranch children their skills. Because of the kindness and generosity of Freddy’s ancestors, they were noted in history books as being ‘Angels of Refugio County’ and Freddy continued to uphold that image within his community.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Fay Fagan Patterson and husband J. H. (Buddy) Patterson; sister, Lucile Snider; three grandsons, Fagan, Patrick and wife Leighann, and Shane Patterson; six great grandchildren, Lily, Aubrey, Sydney, Carson, William, and Westin Patterson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lillie; brothers, Edmund, Bill, Sam, and Tom; and sisters, Lizzie, Alma, and Faye.

A Cowboy Celebration of Life will be held 4:00 pm Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the Fagan Ranch in Tivoli (625 State Highway 239E), with Cindy Myers, Commissioned Lay Person, officiating. Private graveside services will be held by the Family at the Tivoli Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Fagan Patterson, Patrick Patterson, Shane Patterson, Steve Anderson, Mike Anderson, and Ralph Gilster. Honorary pallbearers include Doug Wolfshohl, Arnulfo Perez, Pancho Perez, Oscar Perez, John Hickman, Tony Garza, and nephews, Lane Fagan, James Fagan, Sammy Fagan, Roger Fagan, Patrick Fagan, D. E. Gamblin, DVM, and Nicholas Fagan.

Words of comfort may be shared with the Family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, Texas 361-578-3535