Edward Arnold Trefger

 Edward Arnold Trefger, age 102, passed from this life on Friday, July 4, 2025, at his home in Weatherford, Texas. He was born on December 19, 1922 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Fredrick Wilhelm Trefger and Olga Marguerite Stern Trefger. Edward graduated from high school in Iowa and moved to San Diego, California with his sister, Mary, where he worked at the age of 19 for the Solar Aircraft Company prior to enlisting into the Navy on December 21, 1942 as a metalsmith repairing aircraft and was stationed at the Naval Air Station Port Lyautey near Kenitra, Morocco in North Africa during World War II. He proudly served his country for three years receiving the National Defense Medal. After the war, he returned to Waterloo, Iowa following his discharge January 25, 1946 where he worked at the Rath Packing Company and later as a welder for the Chamberlain Corporation.

 Edward married Joan Alberta Albrecht on May 9, 1946 in Waterloo. After their first son was born, he re-enlisted with the Navy in December of 1947 and served an additional five years at Naval Air Stations in Miami, Florida and Kingsville, Texas, where he was a Chief Petty Officer over 18 men.

 He became a master welder and ironworker, working at the Kansas Missile Silos and other locations. He eventually settled in Weatherford, Texas as an ironworker for the Texas Ironworkers Union 263 where he retired in 1987 to pursue his many hobbies and interests. He soon decided that retirement was not for him and continued to work as an ironworker until he was 80 years of age. During his years as a welder and ironworker, he taught many young men how to weld, including his sons, nephews, and their friends, with some becoming ironworkers like him.

 As a youth, Edward loved to hunt in the cornfields of Iowa and later, after he joined the Navy, he spent his free time boating, scuba diving and fishing, providing his family with plenty of fish and lobsters. Fishing became a lifelong hobby that he enjoyed with his children and grandchildren, instilling in them a passion for the sport. He loved to make his own fishing lures and was able to continue to enjoy fishing trips with his eldest son in their boat on area lakes until he could no longer easily climb onboard at the age of 100.

 Edward also enjoyed flying and tinkering with his own Comanche Piper airplanes, obtaining a pilot license. He encouraged all three of his sons to become private pilots. He helped build two experimental RV-4 airplanes with his son and rebuilt an Air Coupe though he was never able to fly it. He also built a helicopter from a kit and later purchased his own Rotorcraft helicopter, though he never quite mastered flying them. He loved to read, especially mystery treasure novels, and garden, growing an abundance of vegetables each year.

 Edward cherished his family and friends, regularly driving to California to spend time with his daughter and sons who lived there and to lowa and Georgia until he had to give up driving at the age of 95. He loved to share stories of his incredible life and experiences with everyone.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Olga Trefger; his beloved wife, Joan in 1987; brother-in-law, Lester Hack; nephew, Miles Hack and his sister, Mary Trefger Hack; as well as many friends.

 Edward is survived by his son, Eddie Trefger and wife, Sandy; daughter, Joyce Cotrone and husband, Vito; sons, Michael Trefger and Allen Trefger and wife, Terri; eleven grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; one nephew; a great-niece, a great-nephew; two great-great nephews; and one great-great niece.

 Edward will be deeply missed by his family, neighbors, and all those who knew him. His memory will live forever. 

 There will be a graveside service at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the East Greenwood Cemetery in Weatherford, Texas.

Arrangements are by Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel. https://www.galbreaithpickard.com/