Harry Carpenter Voss

Mr. Harry C. Voss, age 91 of Gatesville, passed away on November 10, 2011 in a local hospital. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Steve Dominy officiating. The family will receive visitors thirty minutes before services at the funeral home. Private graveside services will be held at a later time in the family plot at Townsen Cemetery, near Adamsville, in Lampasas County. Mr. Voss was born on February 8, 1920 in West Columbia, Texas, to the late Harry Schloeman and Lenora Carpenter Voss. He graduated from Gatesville High School in 1938 and attended Texas A&M University one year before volunteering to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force, prior to United States’ entrance to World War II. While in Canada, he was a flight instructor for AT-6 Trainers and Mosquito Light Bombers, serving in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Labrador. In May of 1944, Canada gave the Americans their last chance to transfer back to the USA. Harry joined the USAF where he was assigned to the 333 Flight Squadron as a fighter pilot flying P-47’s in the Pacific, stationed in Okinawa and Ie Shima. He was discharged from the USAF in February of 1946, having spent five years in the service. During the transfer back to the USAF, Harry married Mary Evelyn Eubanks on June 6, 1944 at the Lachine Air Base Chapel in Montreal. After WWII, Harry enrolled again at Texas A&M University and graduated in 1950 (with his Class of 42) majoring in Petroleum Engineering. He worked fifteen years with Union Oil Company of California in Texas and Louisiana and was District Superintendent when he resigned to open his consulting petroleum engineering office in Houston. After five years, working mostly with Atlantic Refining Company in the Gulf, he purchased the Fred Schloeman ranch near White Hall, where he enjoyed his Angus cattle and country life. In 1980, he and his wife, moved into Gatesville and purchased their retirement home and were members of the First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth Ray (Jim) Voss. Mr. Voss is survived by his wife of 67 years, whom he adored, Mary Eubanks Voss; one brother, Gary Kit Voss of Bryan and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gatesville, 912 East Main Street or to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Gatesville, 206 South 7th Street, Gatesville, TX 76528.