Funeral services for Curtis Avery Gryder, Sr, 86, of Guy, TX, are set for 2 PM Friday, October 28, 2016, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors Chapel, 3103 School Street, Needville, TX 77461, with Pastor Greg Garcia officiating. Burial will follow in Guy Public Cemetery, Guy, TX 77444.


Visitation will be from 1 - 2:00 PM Friday, for one hour preceding the funeral service.


Curtis was born September 2, 1930, in Minden, Louisiana, to Milton Avery Gryder and Cornelia Hinton Gryder. He died October 25, 2016, at his home. He was married to Betty Barina Gryder. Curtis served in the National Guard, and he retired from the State Highway Department.


He was preceded in death by his parents and by his 2 sisters. Survivors include his wife, Betty Gryder, of Guy, TX; 2 sons, Curtis Avery Gryder, Jr. and Juanita, of Rosenberg, TX, and Steven Allen Gryder of Guy, TX; daughter, Joanna Eve Gryder of Rosenberg, TX; 4 Grandchildren; 2 sisters, Pat of Ardmore, OK, and Martha of Bivins, TX; and 2 nephews, Charles Cunningham and Lloyd Matthews.


Most people are known by different names and titles by many people. Curtis A. Gryder, Sr., was to some, "possum"...to friends, "catfish"...to his children, "father"...to his wife, "husband". He was brought to us during one of the world's most trying times...the Great Depression. This would be a trend in his lifetime, a sign of things to come. He would live through historical moments and meet legendary people along the way. He would live through four wars, including World War II, 14 Presidents, the birth of "Rock 'N Roll", a trip to the moon, 8-tracks, cds, vcrs, dvds, the phone - switchboard, rotary, and cell, the PC, the laptop, and the internet.


Our father was a simple man that led anything but a simple life. He was a hardworking, dedicated provider who loved his family, especially his wife of 50 years, Betty. He loved westerns, John Wayne in particular. He also loved classic country music, especially Hank Williams, Sr.


One of his fondest memories was of the Louisiana Hayride and cooking catfish for Ole' Hank, his hero.


But what our father didn't realize was....he was the hero. He was the role model. He was the legend. He is the one that won't be forgotten.


Memorials may be given in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, 7670 Woodway Drive, Suite 230, Houston, TX 77063, or online at www.diabetes.org.


Condolences may be written for the Gryder family at www.garmanycarden.com.


Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 3103 School Street, Needville, TX 77461 (979)793-4515 or (281)342-4671.