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                       Frederick Joseph Agnich         28 October 2004
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Frederick Joseph Agnich

AGNICH, FREDERICK JOSEPH, Born in Eveleth, MN, July 19, 1913, died on 
Thursday, October 28, 2004, in Dallas, TX at age 91, ending a large and 
storied life. Fred married Ruth Welton, also of Eveleth, MN, in 1939. He 
traveled the world during the 1930's in search of oil and gas, working for 
Geophysical Services, Inc., the predecessor company to Texas Instruments. 
His first wife, Ruth, predeceased him in 1975. He is survived by his 
loving and devoted wife of 27 years, Brooksie Penland Agnich. He has three 
sons, William R. Agnich, Kingston, OK, Richard J. Agnich, and his wife, 
Tory, Dallas, TX, and James R. Agnich and his wife, Betsy, Houston, TX. 
Fred is also survived by his sister Dorothea Grigg, Biwabik, MN, six 
grandchildren, Robert Agnich and Jonathan Agnich, Dallas, Michael Agnich 
and wife Kelli, Redwood City, CA, Bruce Agnich & wife Traci, Houston, TX, 
Barbara Agnich, Dallas, GA, Sarah Agnich, Houston and two 
great-grandchildren, Samantha and Dylan Agnich. Brooksie's children Pebble 
and Zach Fry; Annette and Hal Steinman, Dallas; Julia and Jerry Klein, 
Ouray, CO; Raymond and Tobey Willie and Brook Willie, Dallas, along with 
their children, Travis Vaden, Brandon, and Heather Gonzales, Brooklyn and 
Raylee Willie also claim Fred as their own. After graduation from the 
University of Minnesota in 1937 with a degree in geology, Fred worked at 
Geophysical Services, Inc. and became its President and Chairman in the 
mid-to-late 1950's. He was also a Texas Instruments Director during this 
time. From 1955-1959, Fred was instrumental in establishing Greenhill 
School at its present campus, and was Chairman of its Board. Ever eager to 
accept new challenges, in 1960, Fred turned his attention to politics, 
working at the grass roots in Dallas County to build a competitive 
Republican Party. Elected in 1970 to the Texas Legislature, he was the 
only successful Republican candidate from the old county-wide district. 
Fred was a conservative, but hard to pigeon-hole. His 16-year legislative 
service included environmental legislation and wildlife preservation. He 
was a proud member of the Dirty Thirty following the Sharpstown scandal. 
He counted among his friends legislators of all political persuasions. In 
1986, Fred retired to build his properties in Athens, TX and Ouray, CO, 
and to discover, after all those years of saying Texas wasn't too hot in 
the summer, that it actually IS. He and Brooksie enjoyed many happy years 
at Lake Lenor in Ouray, Colorado. Fred hand-stitched intricate geometric 
needlepoint art which hangs in his home and is admired by many needlepoint 
enthusiasts. The last few years, they have met many friends at Edgemere. 
Special thanks to his tireless caregivers, Betty Willoughby and Emma 
Mayberry and others. Visitation will be Monday, November 1, 2004 from 6:00 
- 8:00 pm at Restland Funeral Home , with the family attending, and 
Tuesday, November 2, 2004 from 12:00 - 8:00 pm. Private interment at 
Calvary Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm on 
Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church,, 9800 
Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, 214-368-6348, Dr. Blair Monie officiating. 
Memorials may be sent to The Greenhill School, 4141 Spring Valley Road, 
Addison, 75001; or to the Fred J. Agnich Scholarship Fund at the Texas 
Association of Professional Geoscientists, P.O. Box 140647, Austin, Texas 
78714-0647 or the charity of your choice. Restland 972-238-7111 
restlandfuneralhome.com

Published in the Dallas Morning News on 10/31/2004.