Posted by Jack Woodmansee '56 on September 23, 2010:

Classmates, I drove down to Kerrville and attended Pete's funeral. It was a wonderful celebration. Mary, his wife of nearly 54 years, was surrounded by their 4 children and most of their 12 grandch1ldren. The service was at the 1st United Methodist Church of Kerrville, a handsome, relatively new, stone complex with an attractive chapel. It is not a small church. Their attendance over 4 services on a Sunday is about 1000. The choir is at least 60 strong. Pete had been a member of the choir. The whole choir was present, robed, and sang for the funeral. Ms Sonja Johnson, a soprano--and a very good one, sang numerous hymns before the service. That was quite a treat. One of the granddaughters and one of the grandsons read from the Old Testament. All the grandkids, as one should expect, were marked by Pete and Mary and were quite handsome. One of the grandsons there was an Army Special Forces Staff Sergeant, wearing a CIB, who was home from Afghanistan. I asked him if we were headed in the right direction, and he looked me straight in the eye and told me (to his Mother's dismay) that the Rules of Engagement were unreasonable and that "we could win that war if they let us do our job". Pete's 3 sons read messages from West Pointers. Tom, the oldest son, read a warm letter from John Feagin. Greg read a wonderful letter from our own Bob Sorley. Well done, Bob. Chris, the youngest, read a letter from Joe Franklin. Chris introduced himself to the church by saying that he was the "wild one". His two brothers seated on the first row with Mary echoed, "and still are". This was a wonderful family affair, and Mary beamed throughout the service to see her children and grandchildren honor her man. All of the boys spoke warmly about their father as a person. All had been Boy Scouts, and Tom credited his father's influence. Tom decided that he would recite the Boy Scout Pledge, and got about 2/3rds of the way through and went blank. The brothers (and about half of the attendees) helped Tom finish the pledge. After which Tom humorously remarked, to everyone's agreement, that he had violated the Boy Scouts' first principle---Be Prepared. Another granddaughter sang with the choir when they performed Pete's favorite hymn, "It is Well with My Soul. Pete's daughter, Cathy Liesenfeld, who had 7 of the family grandchildren including the Special Forces Staff Sergeant, read from the New Testament, John 14:1-6, where Jesus comforts his disciples over his forthcoming departure, and tells them, "I am going there to prepare a place for you." Mary's brother, John Quimby, comically joked that if no one recognized him in a coat and tie, they might know him in his baseball cap (which was in his hand). He admitted his nervousness because he was clearly humbled by Pete's three sons eloquent speeches. But John's eulogy was moving. He spoke about Pete the man, the brother in law. It was a moving tribute. The pastor praised Pete, but felt he could add so little to the wonderful things that were said. But he spoke of Pete's role in the church and said that one Sunday morning before the service, he asked Pete if he would say the invocation. Pete accepted and gave a fitting prayer. Clearly, all attendees knew that Pete had been a great quarterback. It was reported to those present that he had recently been named to his High School and to West Point's Athletic Hall of fame. The letters from the three West Pointers clearly detailed Pete's role in returning Army football to a national stature. Even the "left-handed pass" In the Duke game was recalled. There were the standard pictures of Pete on Sport magazine, and the football team picture with all the guys we knew. But the service honored Pete the husband, Pete the father, and Pete the man. It was an inspiring service. Bill Crum and his wife were present. (Bill lives in Kerrville.) Our own Ken Lang was there, and several of Pete's '55 classmates also attended, including: Fred Bliss, George Kennebeck, Nancy Joseph and Jack & Paula Campbell. There was a reception afterward in the Church's fellowship hall. I spoke with Mary and asked her if it would be OK if I emailed the class and told them of the celebration of Pete's life. She gave me her permission to do so. I watched her personally greet the several hundred who were present. The church members had a terrific spread which was not catered. It was prepared by the loving hands of the ladies of the church. The pimento cheese sandwiches were especially terrific, and I must confess I guarded that plate closely until I saw a second platter come from the kitchen. I'm sorry the rest of you couldn't be there. It was an uplifting tribute to our classmate and quarterback, and we all left with smiles on our faces. jack Jack Woodmansee '56 12 June 2010

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