A.J. Alfred Joe Stolle

A. J Stolle was born November 1, 1927 to Alfred Carl and Sophie Kostka Stolle. He passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on February 5, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was raised in Wharton, Texas and was a lifelong member of Holy Family Catholic Church. At the young age of 24, A.J met his beloved wife Birdie Mae Frels of Crescent. They were married on February 16, 1953 in El Campo, Texas. This month they would have been married 66 years. A.J was devoted to his beloved wife Birdie Mae, and enjoyed dancing with her at local dances. Not long after they were married, they welcomed three children into their family.  A.J worked hard his entire life to support his family. He only knew how to work hard. He instilled this trait in his family as it continued to grow over the years. He started in the farming business when he was 12 years old, by hauling cotton hands in a pickup truck for his Dad. His father had to sign his driver’s license so he could drive at such a young age. He worked hard for his father for several years before enlisting in the Texas State Guard. He began his duty in May of 1945 at the age of 17, and stayed there until it disbanded in July of 1946. A few years later in February of 1952 he went into the U.S Air Force during the Korean Conflict where he served 4 years in active duty. There he earned the title of Staff Sargent. Once completing his duty, he returned home to continue his farming and ranching career. During this time, he served on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Committee for nine years. He retired from row crop farming in 1990, but continued ranching for many years after. There was not a day within his life that he was not proud of his family. He thought the world of his three children and absolutely adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You could bet when he called you he would ask how his “little friends” were doing.  He worried more than he should have about his family, but that was AJ and he made sure you knew how much he cared. He loved watching football especially the Dallas Cowboys, deer hunting trips to Colorado, and countless hunts out in Lane City. The man should have had stock in Sea Breeze too. That was the “cure all” for anything and everything. A.J was like clockwork. Before cell phones you could locate him based off what time it was. After retirement, he started his day early at the Donut Shop, and then went on to Wharton Feed, then to Prosperity Bank where he visited with his coffee buddies. Meanwhile, his wife Birdie was busy at home cooking up a hot “dinner” for him. He was spoiled to say the least, but he never forgot to show appreciation for all she did for him.  He would then catch a nap in his starched button up, tucked in shirt until it was time to continue on with his day. The best part of his daily routine though was at four o’clock sharp.  You could find him parked in the front row of Diamond S Restaurant where he met for coffee yet again. There was not much that got in the way of his coffee time. He valued his friends and enjoyed every second visiting with them. A.J was preceded in death by his parents and late son in law, Larry Wright of Houston. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Birdie Mae Stolle of Wharton; sons Joe Stolle and wife, Carole of Wharton; John Stolle and wife, Lisa of Wharton; daughter Mary Ann Wright and husband Kirk of Spring; 6 grandchildren; Bonnie Kocurek and husband Larry of East Bernard; Joni Stolle of Houston; Brandon Wright and wife Michaelyn of McKinney; Nicole Stolle of Wharton; Kelsey Walenta and husband Michael of Needville;  Sarah Powell and husband Shelby of Spring; along with 6 great grandchildren; Preston, Kynlee, Kalli, Everly, Zoey, Grace, and Blakely Walenta, who we anticipate the arrival , later this month. Serving as pallbearers are lifelong friends Melvin Buenger, Stanley Konvicka, Bill Kostka, Verlie Sherrill, Robert Stolle, and Richard Zahn. Honorary Pallbearers include his coffee buddies that he spent time with daily. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to all his caregivers, Dora Campos, Mary Valdez, Gloria Cerrillo, Robert Campos and Martha Carmack, for the many hours they spent tending to all his needs. Visitation will be held on Friday evening, February 8th starting at 5 p.m. at Wharton Funeral Home, 515 Boling Highway Wharton, with a Holy Rosary recited at 7 p.m.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2011 Briar Lane Wharton, on Saturday February 9th at 10 a.m., with Father Bob Knippenberg officiating.  The Rite of Committal and burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.