Gail O. Degn died in Seguin on June 26, 2016 at the age of 91.
Gail is survived by his wife, Lillian (Steffens) Degn, children Rory Fanning and husband Howard, Faron Degn and wife Vicki and Tracy Frazier and husband Mark, daughter-in-law Gelis Degn and grandchildren Layla Degn, Loren Degn, Savannah Degn, Laci Degn, Annalee Fanning, Reed Fanning, Madeline Frazier and Georgia Frazier, great-granddaughters Evelyn Degn and Lilly Degn, as well as his sister, Grace Brawdy. He is preceded in death by his son, Daniel Degn ("Blue"), his sisters Elaine and Laverne and his brothers Melvin and George.
Gail was born on September 11, 1924 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to George and Lucy Degn, five years before the beginning of the Great Depression. He was raised by his maternal grandparents. Gail graduated from high school in Aransas Pass, Texas in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps at age 18 during World War II and served two years and nine months, mostly in Europe. Gail married Lillian Steffens in 1945 and shortly thereafter moved to Anchorage, Alaska where he lived for 14 years and learned the construction trade. After returning to Texas in 1961, Gail began working for Barlett-Cocke Construction and helped to complete many building projects in San Antonio. He was proud to recently receive a 50 Year pin from the local Carpenters Union.
Gail will be remembered by his family and many friends as a kind, gentle and generous man. He was a loving husband and father who never took himself too seriously and enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Silver Center, 510 E. Court Street in Seguin, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gail's life.