Peter A. Figert, 86, of Hallsville, TX passed away peacefully at his home on September 6, 2016. He was born June 11, 1930 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Russell Lowell Figert and Marie Ann Miller Figert. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1948 and went on to receive his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He was a veteran of the Indiana National Guard. Peter married Ruth Elaine Hunt on August 7, 1957 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and they were married for 59 years. A long-time resident of Odessa, Texas from 1968- 2012, Peter was active in civic organizations such as the Odessa Optimist Club and the Globe of the Great Southwest. He was also very involved in St. John's Episcopal Church as a member and its choir director.
Peter spent his professional and family life surrounded by music. He was trained as a bassoonist. It was his passion and vocation. He was a high school band director in Indiana, the band and choir director at Howe Military School, and was a music professor at Manchester College and Odessa College. He played in symphony orchestras in Indiana and Texas and worked on developing and selling bassoons for Fox Bassoons while composing and publishing music for the bassoon, trombone and bell choir. He also loved directing choirs and singing, especially with his family. He started children's choirs, hand bell choirs and in his retirement started a barbershop quartet. Above all, he was an optimist and his infectious sense of humor, love of the Texas Rangers, and ice cream and popcorn for supper will be missed by those who knew him.
Mr. Figert is survived by his wife: Elaine Figert of Hallsville; Cathy Michalka Figert (widow of son Mark) of Odessa; son: Michael Edward Figert of Odessa; daughter: Anne Elaine Figert and spouse Jeanne Kerl of Skokie, IL; daughter: Amy Ruth Spears of Hallsville; son: Alex Paul Figert and spouse Erin of Rockwall; grandchildren: Christopher, Landon, Colby, Garrett, Zoe, William, Ryan, and Gavin; two great grandchildren; sister: Elizabeth Carey of IN; brother: Sam Figert of NY; sister: Sara Gage of NY; sister: Connie Long of AZ , as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother: Russell Figert; son: Mark Christopher Figert; and grandson: Adam Paul Spears.
A service to remember him will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, September 17, 2016, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 906 Padon Street, Longview, TX, with The Reverend Kevin Wittmayer officiating. A memorial service and inurnment will be held on December 26, 2016 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Odessa, TX.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
October 4, 2017
Dear Amy and family
My utmost condolences anf oraters are eith you always
Melinda Mata Terrier
December 23, 2016
Rhonda Gray
What a loss for the music world. As a student at OC, Mr. Figert was so very knowledgeable about the history and made it compelling to want to know more. I celebrate the fact that I had the privilege to have known him as a professor. I pray for his family to lean closer to the Heavenly Father for comfort and peace.
September 14, 2016
Janet Cree
Elaine, I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you and you sweet family during this time.
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