Dr. William Harvey Fredriksson, Sr.

William Harvey Fredriksson, Sr., of Groesbeck, slipped the earthly bonds of suffering on September 2, 2022, in the arms of his wife, Sharon Fredriksson and daughter, Sarah Isbell.  His fight was long and arduous, but he has joined the heavenly choir of angels.    

A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 17, 2022 in the First United Methodist Church of Groesbeck with Pastor Steve Nance officiating.  

Harvey was born July 21, 1936, in the company town of Gilman, Colorado to Adrian Erik Fredriksson and Hazel (Cruz) Fredriksson.  After the New Jersey Zinc Company closed the town, the family moved to Redcliff, CO.  Harvey could tell many tales of his and his brother Ade’s adventures in this Colorado paradise on Turkey Creek.  

Harvey graduated from Minturn, CO High School and joined the Navy.  After his service was completed, he attended Western State University in Gunnison, CO, earning a master’s degree in history.   After moving to Texas, he attended Texas A&M University, earning a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.  He had a lengthy career in the field of education and was known as “Dr. Fred-the history professor” to hundreds. 

Dr. Fredriksson was one of the creators of the Upward Bound program, meeting with a group of like-minded educators in the basement of the physics building at Baylor University.  In 1973 he moved to Mexia, TX to work at Mexia State School, supervising educational programs. His work encompassed the creation of a preschool program for disadvantaged children in Marlin, TX, with Louise Hamilton.  He retired from Mexia State School in 1998. 

In 1984, Harvey married the love of his life, Sharon.  They joined their families to include their five children, Eric Fredriksson, Sarah Fredriksson, Will Fredriksson, Laura Dossey and David Dossey.  He was so very proud of each of them.  For several years, he and Sharon spent a great deal of time moving the kids to college and back with the old gray cattle trailer.   

Harvey and Sharon loved to cruise and went all over the world.  No matter where he was – an Irish pub or on the beach in Hawaii, Harvey made friends, regaling them with tales of Colorado and The Mount of the Holy Cross.  Since his dad had emigrated from Sweden, he especially loved spending time in Stockholm with his cousin, Mike.  Harvey and Sharon made many trips to Colorado, where Harvey would fish every little trickle of a stream for trout.  

As a member of Groesbeck Methodist Church, he loved to sing in the choir, and truly missed it when he could no longer attend.  Harvey was active in the Lions Club at Groesbeck, was a Silver Haired Legislator for many years and a member of the Area Agency on Aging through HOTCOG. 

Harvey and Sharon were rarely separated for more than a few hours at a time.  Even when dementia started taking its’ toll on his mind, he would seek out ways to help her around the house, and dance in the living room to country western music.   

Harvey was a selfless man who required nothing of others.  He only wanted to give.  He may have been the man who stopped to help you change a tire or gave you a ride if you were walking down the highway.  He was the man who always stopped little children to ask them if they could whistle, giving a demonstration.  If kindness had a name, it would be Harvey Fredriksson. 

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents.   He is survived by his wife, Sharon Fredriksson of Groesbeck; 5 children and their spouses:  Eric and Mira Fredriksson of Little Rock, Arkansas, Sarah Isbell and Paul King of Hubbard, Will and Elaine Fredriksson of Sarasota, Florida, Laura and Wes Byas of Waco, and David and Heidi Dossey of Lorena.  The 10 grandchildren and spouses are:  Erika and Justin Glidden of Benton, Arkansas, Collins and Taylor Fredriksson of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnar Fredriksson of Little Rock, Arkansas, Zack and Kailey Isbell of Groesbeck, Macade Isbell of Groesbeck, Emily and T.J. Medeiros of Washington, D.C., Molley Fredriksson of Washington, D.C., Seth Byas of Waco, LilyBeth Dossey of Lorena, and Everett Dossey of Lorena.  His 4 great grandchildren are: Fletcher Fredriksson, Parker Glidden, Addison and Grayson Medeiros. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Adrian and Naomi Fredriksson, Jr. of Hondo; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Pam and Don Groba of Normangee, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Stacy Glezman of Lake Limestone; nieces and nephews and other family members, including his faithful canine companions, Gracie and Golda. 

If anyone wishes to make a donation in memory of Harvey, the family would be pleased to suggest Lara's House, Mexia or the Groesbeck Methodist Church.