Paul L. “Pop” Fritsche, 89, of Beaumont, died Monday, November 2, 2009, at his residence.

He was born October 13, 1920, in Beaumont to Pauline Aguillard and Otto Fritsche and was a long time resident of the Beaumont area.  Paul was retired with Southern Pacific Railroad and Efficient Systems and was a United States Army veteran in the 24th Infantry Division having served in World War II. He was also a member of Westgate Memorial Baptist Church.

Survivors include his son, David Fritsche and his wife Diane of Bullard; daughter, Paula Pearson and her husband Bob of Kountze; grandchildren, Chris Fritsche and his wife Jessica of Dallas, Kasie Maness and her husband Heath of Beaumont and Scott Fritsche of Dallas; great grandchildren, Kate Maness and Zach Maness; sisters, Ruby McCullough, Ruth Vee Dubuisson, Lelia Dennis, Pauline Akin and Helen Axton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Hattie Fritsche; and grandson, Andy Pearson.

His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with Chris Fritsche, Scott Fritsche, Heath Maness, Jessie Ray Hornsby, Joe Paul Hamilton and Dennis Fritsche serving as pallbearers.  Roger Hamilton and Lindy Dennis will serve as honorary pallbearers.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at Broussard’s.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Scott McKenney and his office staff; Quality Care Services and Odyssey Healthcare.  A very special thank you goes to Evelina Harrison and Deanna Frank, two God sent Angels.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, Maryland 01061-0515.