Alfred Thane

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Alfred Henry Thane, affectionately known as "Skeeter" to many of his family members, 86, of Angleton, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 14, 2020. Services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 1817 Shanks Rd., Angleton, Texas. Burial will immediately follow the service at Angleton Cemetery. There will be a visitation on Saturday, September 19, 2020 before the service starting at 12:00 pm. Alfred was born on September 5, 1934 to Paul Wilhelm Christoph and Sophie Anna Louise Hemann Thane in Lynn Grove, Texas. He was raised the son of a cotton-farmer in and around Navasota, Texas. He had the best of childhoods. He was one of thirteen children and had dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins who all lived close by. The Thanes enjoyed family meals, fellowship, and baseball after attending church on Sundays at Trinity Lutheran Church on Thane St. in Navasota. Alfred was raised in what many today may consider poverty during the Great Depression, but he never knew it. The Thanes counted not the riches of this world but abounded in the treasures of God's Kingdom made manifest through the love they showed to each other and to their community. Alfred was a hard worker. He started picking cotton as a child and worked all the way into his early-80s. He never bought into the concept of retirement. His first job off the farm was in high school at a department store in downtown Navasota. When asked in what part of the store he would like to work, he said "anywhere but shoes." So, the owner assigned him to the shoe department. He would go on to sell shoes for decades. Alfred graduated from Navasota High School in 1952. In May 1957, he was drafted into the United States Army. He achieved the rank of SP-4 with Battery B, 1st Howitzer Battalion, 2nd Artillery in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1959 and served in the Army Reserves until April 1963 at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. In 1959, Alfred found his way to Brazoria County to work for Brockman's in Lake Jackson. He soon met a young clerk at the five-and-dime store across the street, Dorothy Ann Andrews, and fell in love. Alfred and Dorothy were married on August 26, 1960 at First Baptist Church in Lake Jackson and would spend the next 55-years together. They were blessed with two daughters, Pella Arlene Thane and Parrish Elaine Thane. Alfred loved working in retail. In the early-1960s, he managed Brockman's of Alvin before returning to Angleton in 1965 to work for Brockman's of Angleton. In 1973, Alfred ventured off to start his own shoe store, Alfred's Shoes, in downtown Angleton. He and Dorothy enjoyed running their shoe store with the help of their daughters and wonderful employees for the next seven years. In 1980, Alfred returned to Brockman's, where he served in various management roles for the Angleton and Lake Jackson stores before they closed in 1990. He treasured his time working in retail and his life-long friendship with Jay Brockman. In 1990, Alfred decided to turn his hobby of woodworking into a second career by starting a home remodeling company, Alfred's Home Improvements, which he operated for the next 25 years. Many homes and businesses throughout Brazoria County and beyond bear the marks of his craftsmanship. Alfred was also a pillar in his community. He served in the Rotary Club of Angleton since September 1, 1965, including several stints as Secretary and Treasurer. He was also served as President from 1972-1973. Alfred was also an active member of the Angleton Chamber of Commerce for over 50 years and served for a time on its Board of Directors. He also served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Second Baptist Church in Angleton. Throughout his life, Alfred devoted himself to serving others, giving generously to his church, his community, and to those in need that came into his life. His love and compassion for others knew no bounds. Near the end of his life, Alfred decided to undertake a personal mission to distribute ornate hand-made wooden crosses, domino sets, and other tokens to those he came across in the community, particularly young families, so he could bless them and share the Gospel with them. He ultimately made and gave away more than a thousand crosses and hundreds of other gifts by the time he was no longer able to work in early-2018. Thousands of people heard the Gospel from Alfred Thane. If you never had the opportunity to meet Alfred, he would want you to know only one thing: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. Alfred is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Paul and Sophie Thane; his brothers: Elroy, Billy, Donald, and two unnamed twin boys who died in infancy; his sisters: Velma, Pauline, Eleanora, and Bernice; his in-laws: Sally Thane, Kathy Thane, Van Massey, Shim Dickschat, and Clyde Hammond; his grand-nephew, Dustin McEntire; and dozens of treasured aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his daughters, Pella Arlene Thane and husband Bruce Branch of Angleton and Parrish Elaine Thane and husband James Ray "Chip" Gayle, IV of Angleton; his grandchildren: Krystal Elaine Kelly and husband Michael of College Station, Cody Thane Vasut and wife Kate of Angleton, and Jessica Elizabeth Gayle of Angleton; his great-grandchildren: Bronson Thane Vasut Hawk, Braylon Bandy Hawk, Grafton William Hawk, Ellaryn Olivia Kelly, Sparrow Elizabeth Thane Vasut, and Lily Jane Thane Vasut; his sisters: Betty Thane Dickschat of Navasota, Bobbie Thane Burke and husband Cyril of Cypress, and Sandra Thane Bosse and husband Clint of Washington; his brothers-in-law: Robert Andrews and wife Julie of Sugarland, Gerald Andrews and wife Serena of Lake Jackson, and Howard Andrews and wife Dorothy of Houston; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and other extended family members. Pallbearers will be Gary Massey, Daryl Thane, Dennis Thane, Darrin Thane, Paul Thane, and Steven McEntire. Honorary pallbearers will be Cody Thane Vasut, Chip Gayle, Bruce Branch, Michael Kelly, Duane Eldred, Brett Fowler, Dean Dickschat, Scott Eldred, Sean South, Clay Bosse, Mark Thane, Stephen Hammond, Kyle Bosse, and Drinnon Roberts. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Alfred's memory to the Second Baptist Church Building Fund, 1817 Shanks Rd., Angleton, TX 77515; the Angleton Area Emergency Medical Corps, 600 E. Orange St., Angleton, TX 77515; or the Rotary Club of Angleton, P.O. Box 673, Angleton, TX 77516. The family would also like to extend their thanks to the staff of Country Village Care in Angleton for the tender care they provided to Alfred in his final years. Gloriam deo. Service Details. Visitation When Saturday, September 19th, 2020 12:00pm - 2:00pm Text Directions Send directions to the event directly to your phone Phone Number: Send Email Directions Get directions to the event directly to your inbox Email Address: Send Email Service When Saturday, September 19th, 2020 2:00pm Notes Donations may be made to Angleton Area Emergency Medical Corps, Angleton Rotary Club or 2nd Baptist Church Building Fund. Text Directions Send directions to the event directly to your phone Phone Number: Send Email Directions Get directions to the event directly to your inbox Email Address: Send Email Interment Location Angleton Cemetery Address 328 Cemetery Rd. ANGLETON, TX 77515 Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book