Paul Dittrich

    Paul Dittrich, 97, died Feb. 3, 2014. He was born Feb. 18, 1916 to William and Julia (Beran) Dittrich in Lytton Springs in Caldwell County.
    In 1918 the family moved to their farm in the Cordele Community, where he attended school in the two room schoolhouse in Lower Cordele. In 1936 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was stationed in Bastrop and Ten Sleep, Wyo. After serving about one year, he was discharged from the Corps and returned to the family farm in Cordele. In 1940 he joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Fort Sam Houston. After serving in several Army posts in the United States, his company was shipped overseas in 1943. His signal company made the amphibious invasion in Sicily, in Salerno, Italy at Anzio, Italy and Southern France. While serving with the Seventh Army in France he received a Battle Field Commission to 2nd Lt. in 1944. After the war ended he returned to the United States in November 1945.
    After being separated from the service he was employed as a radio technician for several, eventually he owned and operated a radio and television business until his retirement in 1988. For most of his adult life, he was an amateur radio operator, with the call sign W5LCR.
    In 1951 he married Anita DeBord. They had no children. He was a member of the Methodist church, an active member of the Edna Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, a life member of the American Legion Post 346 in Ganado, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8556 in Lolita. He was also a charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
    Paul is preceded in death by his wife Anita; parents; infant sister, Bessie Dittrich; sisters: Mary Quarles, Lucy Calcote, and Minnie Sowell; and brothers John Dittrich, Henry Dittrich and Alvin Dittrich.
    Paul is survived by sisters Carlee Larkin and Claudine Dittrich; and also his three special friends that took great care of him; Mary Lee, Linda and Dale.
    Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Edna Volunteer Fire Department.
    Visitation was noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Slavik Funeral Home in Edna. Funeral services were at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at Slavik Funeral Home in Edna with Rev. George Tompkins officiating.
    Military honors were provided by the Ganado American Legion Post #346. Donations may be made to donor's choice.
    Services are under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St., 361-782-2152.