Howard Sommerfeld

Howard Gene Sommerfeld, 64, of Brenham, died June 5, 2011 at Scott and White Hospital – Brenham after a lengthy illness. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 8 at Zion Lutheran Church of Zionsville with Pastor David Hall officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 7 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Mr. Sommerfeld was born May 22, 1947 in Brenham to Melvin and Martha Rosner Sommerfeld. He attended Brenham Elementary School, Brenham High School and Blinn College. As a young boy he acquired a love for sports and was a catcher for the Washington County Little League Indians. In high school, he participated in track and field and football. Later in life, he coached the Burleson County Little League champs and also umpired some games. He enjoyed sitting outside and listening to the radio of the area Little League, high school and Astros baseball games. On January 29, 1982, he married Birdie Boeker at Zion Lutheran Church of Brenham. Mr. Sommerfeld''s career in law enforcement began at the Texas Department of Corrections – Rosharon. Washington County Sheriff Johnie Schulte hired him in 1968. In 1971 Mr. Sommerfeld accepted a position with the Santa Fe Railroad Police Department as a special agent and a Special Texas Ranger. He was stationed in Galveston, Beaumont, Somerville and Bellville. In 1990, Mr. Sommerfeld went to work for the Austin County Sheriff''s Department as a deputy and acquired the rank of sergeant. He then worked as a jailer, transport officer and finally as bailiff for District Judge Dan Beck and County Court-at-Law Judge Gladys Oakley. Mr. Sommerfeld spent his last years raising commercial cattle and watching his grandson James play sports. During his lifetime, he was an advisor for the Washington County Youth Rodeo Association, worked with the Washington County Relay Team which rode in the Astrodome, was a member of the Lee County Sheriff''s Mounted Posse, helped start the Austin County Sheriff''s Mounted Posse, was an early member of the Washington County Trail Ride Association serving as president for a number of years, was a member of the Texana Trail Ride Association and rode the Salt Grass Trail Ride for numerous years where he served as sergeant of scouts. Survivors include his wife, Birdie Sommerfeld of Brenham; daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Brad Kamps of Franklin, Tennessee; grandson, James Howard Thomas of Franklin, Tennessee; step-granddaughter, Ashley Elizabeth Kamps of Franklin, Tennessee; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Erwin Meier of Brenham; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lois and Clyde Engelbrecht of Houston; sister-in-law, Joyce Boeker of Brenham; and numerous nephews and nieces. Mr. Sommerfeld was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Martha Sommerfeld; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred and Elbirda Boeker; and brother-in-law, Alfred Boeker, Jr. Pallbearers will be Keith Meier, Scott Vacha, Ryan Henderson, Josh Morrison, Ricky Bosse, Ryan Bosse, Trey Boeker, Dalton Anders, and Pedro Gonzales. Honorary pallbearers will be the Austin County Sheriff''s Department employees and Santa Fe Railroad special agents who worked with Howard during his extensive career. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church of Brenham, the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit: memorialoakschapel.com.