Francis Henry Kludt

SERVICES: Services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, July 29, 2005, at the First Christian Church, with Rev. Barry Loving, pastor, officiating. Family and friends are invited to come and share the joy of having known our husband, father and brother. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Kludt was born May 4, 1947 in Tyndall, South Dakota. He lived in Hurley, South Dakota until the age of seven. The family moved to Orange, Texas in 1954 where he attended several schools, including Tilley Elementary, Carr Junior High, and Little Cypress High School. He graduated salutatorian in 1965 and was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.He was the pride of his family for being the first to attend and graduate college. He graduated from Texas A&M University in May of 1969 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, and a masters of business administration from Wayland Baptist University in 1999.He built his engineering career with jobs at Westinghouse (Baytown, Texas, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Olin Chemical (Lake Charles, Louisiana), but primarily with Celanese Corporation in Pampa where he was a loyal employee for over two decades. His life was enriched by the people he met everywhere, but those especially in Orange and Pampa, and his spirit was nourished by fellow members of the First Christian Church in Pampa.Francis was an avid bicyclist, riding across the entire state of Texas four times, participating in the Multiple Sclerosis Bike Ride between Houston and Austin and Amarillo to Oklahoma each year. He played adult soccer for several years, coached youth teams, coached the Pampa High School girls soccer team, and had continued to referee youth soccer games. Everything he did was of superior quality whether being a son, brother, husband, father, coach or friend.Fran is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Eileen of the home, and their three children, Heather Kludt Schwanz & husband Warren, and grandchild Ashby Marie of Wichita, Kansas; David Theodore Kludt II & wife Allison of Overland Park, Kansas; and Amanda Kludt Anderson & husband Erick of Amarillo. He is also survived by two siblings, Kathy Kludt Ramke & husband Rich Rogers of Austin, and Rodger Kludt of Lubbock, as well as a nephew, Eli Ranke & wife Lisa of Humble; a niece Gretchen Ramke of Austin, and favorite aunt and godmother, "Auntie Betty" Person of Orange. He was preceded in death by his parents, David Theodore & Nettie Marie Kludt, and a sister, Lucinda Marie Kludt of Orange. Fran will be remembered for his selfless giving of his time, talent and open affection for his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Panhandle Chapter, 6222 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79109, the American Cancer Society, c/o Gerry Caylor, 2130 Charles, Pampa, Texas 79065, First Christian Church Education Project, 1633 N. Nelson, Pampa, Texas 79065, or the charity of your choice.