Fred Mcgilberry

Fred E. McGilberry, 61, of Navasota passed away Saturday, February 23, 2008, at the College Station Medical Center.
Visitation was held Tuesday at Nobles Funeral Chapel with the family present from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services are set for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, at the First United Methodist Church in Navasota with the Rev. J.K. "Tim" Bruegger officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
Fred was born October 25, 1946, son of Herschel Clinton and Berta (Stegall) McGilberry. After graduating from Navasota High School, Fred attended Sam Houston University where he earned a B.A. in sociology and was a member of the Lowman Rifles. Fred was a member of several Masonic lodges including Navasota #299, St. Alban's #1400, Sul Ross #1300, Olive Branch #26, and Washington #18. He was a Past Master of Navasota and St. Alban's Lodges and the current Chaplain for Olive Branch Lodge. Fred was a founding member of San Felipe Royal Arch Club #1 in 2001 and its long time Scribe. He was the recipient of the York Rites highest awards which are the Cornerstone for Chapter, the Cryptic Triangle for Council, the Excalibur for Commandery and in 2005, Fred was one of only two Texas recipients of the Royal Purple Service Award presented by the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas. Fred also received the Golden Trowel Award for Navasota Lodge #299. Fred was also a Knight of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH), which is an honor conferred on those elected by a perfect ballot after having served as Worshipful Master of a Craft Lodge, a High Priest of a Royal Arch Chapter, a Thrice Illustrious Master of a Council of Royal and Select Masters, and an Eminent Commander of a Commandery of Knights Templar.
He was a member of the Allied Masonic Degree Council in Tyler, Texas and had received the Knight of the Red Branch of Eri, its highest award, and he was an honorary member of G. C. Sanders AMD Council #402 in the Brazos Valley. He was also a charter member of Henry Bates Stoddard Knight Masons Council #87 in Bryan, Texas.
Other memberships include the Royal Order of Scotland, the Brazos Valley Chapter #378 National Sojourners where he was a Past President, the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, and the United Methodist Men.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Fred is survived by his wife, Juanita Zaragoza McGilberry of Navasota; sons and daughters-in-law, Scott & Leslie McGilberry of Nashville, TN and Kent & Lori McGilberry of Arlington; step-children, Tino Baldobino & Vida Slaton of Singleton, Lucinda & Doug Hall of Baytown, and Helen & Tommy Donaho of Normangee; grandchildren, Jackie, Allie, & Owen McGilberry; numerous step-grandchidren; and 2 step-great-grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers are Paul Chapman of Bryan, Rostell Chapman of Bryan, Bert Miller of Navasota, Don Lemon of Plantersville, John M. Fultz of Navasota, Brent Cahill of Navasota, David Rice of Navasota, and Tracy Meadows of Brenham.
Charitable contributions may be made in his memory to the First United Methodist Church of Navasota or to
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