Harold James Soefje
Harold James Soefje was born June 13, 1945, in New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas. He was a member of the first four-year graduating class from Canyon High School in May 1963. A member of the Class of 1967, he graduated with a Dairy Science Bachelor of Science degree, May 1968 from Texas A&M University. Harold was honored at his 55th class reunion in March as a new member of the Sul Ross Group.
Services will be held at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 11 a.m. with visitation preceding on Thursday, April 21, from 6-8 p.m.
On June 12, 1966, he married Miss LaVerne Marilyn Zwicke. Harold and LaVerne celebrated their 25th anniversary traveling in Germany, France, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland. Their 50th anniversary was a Hawaiian-themed celebration with many close friends and family. Always traveling, the 55th anniversary was while on a trip in Tennessee.
Harold was employed with Krause Construction Company as a heavy equipment operator, Texas A&M University Dairy Science Center as dairy hand, Soefje Holstein Dairy as a partner, K & W Dairy in Houston as a herdsman, Elm Creek Dairy in Cameron as a herdsman, Central Butane Company Gulf Oil Company where he worked as a delivery man and bookkeeper and then Coca Cola Bottling Company under 6 different ownerships as route man, route manager, salesman, distribution manager, swingman, OSHA Trainee and Safety Trainer. He retired on Feb. 1, 2003, with over 27 years of service.
Harold was an accomplished furniture refinisher and loved working on many projects. He was also a volunteer fireman with the Cameron VFD from 1997 through 2005. He was Basic Certified and attended Texas A&M Fire School in Fire Prevention; then an associate member of Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department. A member of 4-H and FFA in school, he continued with 4-H through volunteering as a leader, besides teaching his love of woodwork, he coached soil judging and took teams to the national level. He loved selling Coke collectibles on EBay. Other hobbies include fishing, camping, and traveling, including going to casinos and many cruises. Always listening to music, polka was his favorite type of music, even attending polka festivals. Combining their love of camping and traveling, Harold and LaVerne became park hosts in 2007 and hosted at many Texas State Parks, as well as parks in South Dakota and Louisiana until retiring from hosting in 2014.
Harold and LaVerne have lived in Cameron since 1970 and have been members of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, George and Julia Soefje; and brothers-in-law, Charles Holtgreven and Reginald MacDonough.
Survivors include wife, LaVerne; daughters Tara (Michael) Bittner and Tricia (David) Harwell; son, Justin (Stacey) Soefje; grandchildren, John McNeal, A.J. Harwell, Rachel Bittner, Erin Bittner, Julia Harwell, Nicole Bittner, Rayleigh Soefje, and Alayna Soefje; and sisters, Annette Holtgreven and Christine MacDonough. Harold is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family is very grateful for the nurses at Baylor Scott and White in Temple and Standards Hospice in Cameron.
Memorials may be to Thorndale Volunteer Fire Department Building Fund or Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation or a charity of your choice.