Oscar ‘Ted’ Drews
Oscar “Ted” Drews, 90, died March 3, 2011, in Bertram. He was born March 30, 1920, in Akron, Colo., to Oscar and Elsie (Shirley) Drews.
He lived his early life in Denver. As a teenager during the Depression, he started “riding the rails” as a hobo. He married at the age of 20 and at 25 became a union carpenter.
He worked as a journeyman carpenter for more than 45 years including his time in the Navy Seabees, which took him to many countries. After retiring he kept busy working as a security officer. He built a motor home from a school bus and traveled across the United States with his last wife until 2005, when she was no longer able to take the trips.
To help support their travels, he collected cans and worked as a maintenance man. Since his wife’s death in 2007 he quit driving and worked on being healthy. This included a daily walk and riding his three-wheel bicycle.
He lived by himself in Fresno, Calif., near his stepdaughter until November 2010 when he moved to Bertram to be with his biological daughters and live as a farmer.
He died suddenly while taking care of his “cluckers” and gathering the “cackleberries,” as he called his chickens and the eggs.
Survivors include his children Penny Cornelius and husband Robert of Bertram, Pamela Gutierez of Liberty Hill, and Patrick Theodore Drews of Merced, Calif.; stepchildren Tom Trotter and wife Laurie of Peoria, Ill., Patricia Gibbs and husband Ronald of Fresno, Calif., and Bob Cornelius of Bertram; brother James Thomas of Atwater, Calif.; sisters Wanda Hall of Harold, Calif., and Elsie Bruce of Redondo Beach, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and extended family.
He was preceded in death by an infant son Tod in 1948 and sister Nadine Schlesinger in the 1990s.
According to his wishes, he will be cremated.
A private family gathering will take place at a later time. Memorials can be made to a charity or organization of choice.
Condolences may be offered by visiting www.clementswilcoxburnet.com.
Arrangements handled by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222.