Louis McGrede of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2014, surrounded by his family at Calder Woods, Beaumont. He was born in Sulphur Springs, on September 15, 1926, to the late Novie and Henry McGrede. Louis is preceded in death by his brother, Gilbert McGrede. He lived most of his life in Pasadena, and after retirement, he and June returned to his hometown of Sulphur Springs where they were surrounded by family and friends.
Louis is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, June McGrede, also of Calder Woods; son, Steve McGrade and his wife, Nancy, of Beaumont; daughter, Linda McGrede Cranford Carrier and her husband, Rich, of Long Boat Key, Florida; grandchildren, Harris and Zan McGrade, and Kathleen and Lauren Cranford; brother, Henry McGrede of Longview; sister, Jane Anderson of Tyler; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Upon graduation from Sulphur Springs High School, he attended Southern Methodist University until he answered his country’s call to serve in the United States Army. Louis was stationed in the Philippines during World War II from 1945-1948. Then he returned to SMU to finish his BBA degree. After college, he became a state bank examiner from 1949-1956, and was hired by San Jacinto State Bank as Senior Vice President; later he was promoted to President and CEO. McGrede later purchased the bank and sold it to First Republic where he remained CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was also one of the original organizers of Bank of Pasadena, where he served on the Board. Other Boards and Organizations he served on over the years are as follows: he was on the Board of Directors of Methodist Hospital, Houston for twenty-five years; a trustee of Lon Morris College; Vice President and Director of Sulphur Springs Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Director of the Houston Board of Mission of the Texas Methodist Conference; Salvation Army; Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, to mention just a few. McGrede was Charter President of the South Pasadena Rotary Club where he received the Paul Harris Award in 1982, and had over twenty years of perfect attendance. His volunteer work was not only for civic organizations but he was an active member serving every committee of his church home, Sunset United Methodist Church in Pasadena.
Upon retiring from the banking business, June and Louis returned to Sulphur Springs and rejoined First United Methodist Church, his childhood church, where he continued to serve on numerous committees.
A memorial service for Mr. McGrede will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2014, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, McGrede Lecture Series, 301 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.
