Harry Schacherbauer

Harry Fred Schacherbauer
February 26, 1921 – April 28, 2013

Harry Fred Schacherbauer departed this life on Sunday, April 28, 2013 to be in Heaven with his beloved wife Cleo who passed away on June 3, 2011. Graveside services with full Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Louis Haak officiating. Friends may come by OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard, Wednesday or Thursday to sign the Guestbook, or you may sign online at www.oakcrestwaco.com

Harry was born on February 26, 1921 in Canalou, Missouri. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corp during the great depression and worked on various CCC projects in Indiana. On a visit to the home of one of his friends over Christmas one year, he met the love of his life Cleo Rhoades and they were married on December 26,1944. Harry was a prominent member of the Greatest Generation having joined the United States Navy on September 30, 1942 and serving in the Pacific theater for the duration of WWll. He was a Boatswain Mate 1st Class aboard the USS George Clymer, a troop transport ship, where he worked as a cable splicer.

After the Clymer sailed from San Francisco harbor, Harry didn't see his home for two and a half years. During combat operations he drove a Higgins boat and transported Marines to the bloody and hotly contested beaches of many different Pacific islands, Guadalcanal as one example of many. Harry was present when Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed on the beach at Luzon, The Philippines. Harry was discharged from the Navy on April 8, 1946, but shortly thereafter he rejoined the military as a SSGT in the US Air Force. He served for 17 years as an aerial refueling operator on various aircraft such as the KC-29, the KC-97, and the KC-135. Harry retired from active service on May 31, 1964 as a MSGT.

Harry was never one to rest on his laurels, so after retiring from the Air Force he worked various jobs and finally retired from the Tucson Public School System where he worked in the evaporative cooler maintenance department. After retiring, he continued to work from his home repairing and maintaining evaporative coolers for various residential clients he had developed over the years. He also loved gardening, fishing, and having morning coffee and conversation with his friends.

Harry is survived by his three children, Ron Schacherbauer of Chandler, Arizona, Patsy Sowers of Great Falls, Montana, and Janet Brown of Lorena, five grandchildren, Derek, Jennifer, Stephanie, David, and Amy, four great grandchildren, Jun, Seth, Paige, and David.

The family wishes to thank Scott and White Hospice for their care of Harry as he neared the end of his life. We especially want to thank a very special and caring lady named Debra Vernon who will remain in our hearts always.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the West Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 97, West, TX 76691.