Walter Thode, age 93, of Sherman , TX , passed away on February 24, 2010 at the Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman , TX .
He was born on May 18, 1916 in LaPorte , IN to the parents of Arthur C. and Alma (Manns) Thode. Walter married Edna Euler on August 8, 1938 in LaPorte , IN and they adopted a daughter, Sara in 1951. They were married for 50 years when Edna preceded him in death on August 12, 1988. Walter served in the United States Army as an Artillery Instructor during WWII and he worked for the United States Postal Service for 34 years thereafter. He had a passion for all sports and was an avid golfer and bowler. Walter worked for the LaPorte Recreation Department as a Little League Supervisor from 1963-1977 and was honored for his service with his own annual tournament: "The Walt Thode Tourney". He was inducted into the "LaPorte Old-Timers Baseball Association Hall of Fame" in 1981. Walter was a member of the First United Methodist Church , Elks and Moose Lodge for many years.
He is survived by his daughter, Sara Bogolin of Sherman , TX , sisters: Dorothy Geyer of LaPorte and Gladys Spencer of Battle Creek , MI , brother, Ed Thode of Denver , CO , two granddaughters, Heather (Berg) Slavens and husband Mark of Houston, TX and Dawn (Berg) Alagood and husband Scott of Pilot Point, TX, and four great-grandchildren.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four siblings: Art, Clarey, John and Norman Thode, and his son-in-laws, Frank Bogolin and Roger Berg.
Memorial services for Walter Thode, will be held at Cutlers Funeral Home, LaPorte , IN on March 6, 2010 at 4:00 PM. A visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at 3pm. Cremains will be laid to rest at a family burial, 11 AM Saturday at Patton Cemetery . Memorials may be made to the LaPorte Park and Recreation Department Little League Program, 250 Pine Lake Avenue , LaPorte , IN 46350 .
Friends my sign a online register book at www.cutlerfuneral.com.