Worth Sylvester Wren, Sr., 1923 – 2007

In the July 1991 issue of the original Wren Kin Newsletter, Bobby Joe Wren’s column “Rememberin’” discussed his brother, Worth Sylvester Wren, Sr.

We regret to inform you this gentleman has passed away.

February 13, 2007

Mr. Wren

Funeral services for Worth S. Wren Sr., 83, of Lampasas were Feb. 11, 2007, at Briggs-Gamel-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel in Lampasas with his son, Carl Wren, officiating. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas.

Mr. Wren died Feb. 7 from complications of cancer.

He was born April 25, 1923, in Somervell County, between Glen Rose and Granbury, to Olar W. and Flora Elizabeth Wren Sr.

Mr. Wren grew up in Hamilton County and attended school in Hico, where he graduated from high school in 1942.

He joined the U.S. Army in January 1943 and was assigned to the 483rd Anti-Aircraft Battalion. As a non-commissioned officer, Mr. Wren served as a half-track commander and gunner. Among several assignments, his unit was deployed to provide anti-aircraft cover for units of Gen. George Patton’s Third Army during the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Wren fought in several campaigns, including five major battles across France, Belgium, Austria and Germany.

In December 1945, Mr. Wren was honorably discharged at Camp Fannin and traveled to Lampasas to visit relatives.

On Dec. 15, 1945, he met Johnnie Mae Lunsford, and they were married on Dec. 22, 1945.

Mr. Wren began his career with AT&SF Railway Co. in 1948. He started as a Lampasas section gang trackman and worked his way into management while using his G.I. Bill education benefits to study basic railroad engineering, accounting and other job-related courses at night.
He retired from Santa Fe in 1982, after serving as the roadmaster responsible for track maintenance from San Angelo to Presidio.

Mr. and Mrs. Wren called Lampasas home from 1945-69, despite the family often traveling with him on his foreman job assignments across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri in 1950-54.

In 1969, the couple moved to San Angelo when Mr. Wren was promoted to roadmaster.

In 1992, the Wrens returned to Lampasas to be nearer many of their relatives.

Mr. Wren was a member of First Baptist Church of Lampasas and Hillcrest Baptist Church in San Angelo.

He enjoyed golf, fishing, gardening and hunting, and was an ardent fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns.

He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Mae Wren; by sons Worth Wren Jr. and wife, Nelda, of Fort Worth, James Wren of San Angelo, and Carl Wren and wife, Katherine, of Manchaca; a daughter, Ann Harmon, and husband, Bruce, of Kempner; nine grandchildren, Clinton Wren and Johnnie Jacqueline Wren of Fort Worth, James Wren Jr., Michael Wren, Christopher Wren and Jennifer White, all of Rowlett, Kaulean Harmon of Arlington; and Claire Wren and Kara Wren of Manchaca; and one great-grandson, Bryce White, of Rowlett.

The family requested memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Briggs-Gamel-Wilcox Funeral Directors of Lampasas.

The Lampasas Dispatch Record, P.O. Box 631, Lampasas, Tx 76550-2940, 512/556-6262, 512/556-3278 (fax).

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