James F. "Snooky" Dieterich

James F. "Snooky" Dieterich, 95, former Coleman resident, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013 in Allen, Texas. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the Coleman City Cemetery, 1600 East 9th Street, Coleman, Pavilion with Bro. Don Harmes officiating. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home Home.

James F. "Snooky" Dieterich was born July 23, 1917 in Gouldbusk, Texas to Franklin M. Dieterich and Iris Shuler Dieterich. He grew up in Gouldbusk and Coleman, graduating from Coleman High School. Showing an adventurous spirit in the summer of 1934, Snooky and his best friend, R.C. Thompson, caught the mail truck out of Gouldbusk and hitched rides from Coleman to Fort Worth. There, they began connecting with various freight trains and thumbing rides which took them all the way to Chicago to attend the exposition honoring the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Chicago. The kept a journal of their trip they entitled, "The Century of Progress Expedition." The Journal makes for some very interesting reading.

Four years later, in the spring of 1938, that adventurous spirit rose again and he embarked alone on his "California Bound Expedition." Hitching rides along the way and an occasional bus ride, took him to Coalinga, California, to visit an aunt and uncle. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing. As a young man, he pursued elk and mule deer in Colorado and New Mexico. He was most passionate about fishing, a sport he enjoyed for over 75 years. He enjoyed all sports from coaching Little League baseball in Coleman to enjoying the pro games by faithfully following the Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks in his later years.

Snooky married Jimmie Ruth Brown on September 11, 1939 in Coleman County. He served in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II from 1942 to 1945. Snooky and Jimmie Ruth owned and operated the Dixie Pig Restaurant in Coleman from 1938-1969. After selling the Dixie Pig, Snooky went to work for Duddleston Properties as a Property Manager in Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Houston from 1969 to 1986, when he retired. Snooky and Jimmie Ruth then moved to Lake Livingston in Onalaska. Jimmie Ruth died on October 13, 1996. He moved to Allen in April of 2012 to be closer to family.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Travis Bohannon of Plano, Texas; one son and daughter-in-law Mike and Cindy Dieterich of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; one nephew, James "Butch" Dieterich of Coleman, Texas; one niece, Reba (Dieterich) Watters of Midland, Texas; five grandchildren, Traci (Bohannon) Good of Dallas, Texas, Chad Bohannon of Wylie, Texas, Jennifer (Dieterich) Aitkens of Dallas, Texas, Evan Dieterich of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sean Dieterich of Albuquerque, New Mexico and 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jimmie Ruth Dieterich; an infant daughter, Delma Jane Dieterich in January, 1946; one brother, L.H. Dieterich and one sister, Delma Lee Gray .

Family visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 West Pecan Street, Coleman.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.livingmemorials.com.