Fritz "Pete" Taylor Schenkel's Obituary
Pete Schenkel, a giant in the American dairy industry, respected civic leader and beloved family patriarch passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at home. He was 89 years old. A memorial service will be held Friday, December 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Prestoncrest Church of Christ, 6022 Prestoncrest Lane, Dallas 75230. The story of Pete's life centers on lifting the lives of others through opportunity, education, quality healthcare ...and promoting the values taught in the Church of Christ sanctuaries he and wife Pat attended almost every Sunday in their 64 years of marriage. In large measure, Pete's success in business empowered his higher calling of helping others achieve their dreams. Pete loved his family, the City of Dallas, the Great State Fair of Texas and the Great State of Texas. He was a proud "PaPa" to his grandchildren. When he met new folks, his first question was, "Are you from Dallas?" If you were, he had a list of questions for you. He knew the city better than the back of his hand and was an expert at knowing the fastest route to get anywhere. One of Pete's most famous sayings was: "If I were you, I would…" Pete was born October 2, 1935, in Dallas and graduated in 1954 from Forest Avenue High School. In his early teens, he had a Dallas Morning News paper route in South Dallas for over two years. As the son of a dairy farmer in south Dallas County, he worked as a helper on his father's small dairy farm. In 1960, Pete married Pat Laird. Together, they raised three children. Craig, Stephanie and Steve. Pete's lifelong career took him from an entry-level helper to the boardroom of the nation's largest dairy processing company. He earned his reputation in dairy as a fiercely competitive and ethical businessman. After advancing through the ranks and, ultimately, purchasing Schepps Dairy in Dallas, Pete was instrumental in a series of mergers and acquisitions of regional dairies throughout the United States. In the 1980's Pete and partners created Southern Foods and grew it to 31 dairy plants achieving great success under their leadership. In 2001, Pete and his associates acquired Illinois based Dean Foods where he served as president of Dean's Dairy group with responsibility for dairies in 47 states. Throughout his career, Pete maintained his reputation for delivering service and value. He was fond of saying, "We are not just in the milk business, we are in the customer service business-doing whatever it takes to make the customer happy." Pete brought that same philosophy to his work in Dallas area civic affairs. He was a respected advisor to generations of community leaders including mayors, police chiefs, sheriffs, state and federal officials in addition to others. Being raised in South Dallas, Pete was proud to focus much of his wisdom and resources on Southern Sector issues. His work with Methodist Hospital and the State Fair of Texas are among causes that were close to Pete's heart. The Methodist Medical Center tower is named in honor of Pat and Pete Schenkel for all their support. The State Fair of Texas scholarship program which awards grants to disadvantaged youth annually was named after Pete. The program now bears the name of his friend, the late Juanita Craft. For decades, Pete partnered with police departments to provide rewards in connection with unsolved crimes. This program assisted law enforcement in finding justice, but the program's highest priority was in finding measures of peace and comfort to crime victims' families. Pete probably didn't keep tabs on finances, but rewards paid easily exceeded $1 million through the life of the program. Pete's career as a civic leader also included terms as board chair of the State Fair of Texas, Methodist Hospital Foundation Board and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. He also served on the board of Goodwill Dallas and the City of Dallas Park Board. He was a founding board member of Dallas Blue Foundation. He also served on the board for Borden Dairy. In his capacity with the State Fair of Texas, Pete was the City of Dallas' point man for collegiate football at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Working with the Athletic Directors from the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma, Pete was instrumental in securing contract commitments to keep the classic Texas-OU Red River rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl-State Fair of Texas through 2036. Pete's lifetime of service earned honors which Pete modestly accepted. In 2000, Pete was the recipient of the Tom Unis Valuing Diversity Award. In 2005, Pete was given the Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award from Dallas Baptist University. Pete and Pat received the Wipe Out Kids Cancer Organization's first- ever Norman Brinker Humanitarian Award given in recognition of their charitable and philanthropic service. In 2011, he received the coveted Linz Award which recognizes community involvement and humanitarian efforts with a significant impact on Dallas in the last decade. Pete and his wife Pat share a long history of charitable giving with emphasis on health and education issues faced by the disadvantaged. The couple also served Arms of Hope which comprises the Medina and Boles children's homes in rural Texas settings. They also support the VNA/Meals on Wheels and New Friends New Life. Pete is survived by Pat, his loving wife of 64 years and their three children, Craig Schenkel (Kendall), Stephanie Roberts (Craig), Steve Schenkel (Veronica) all of Dallas. Grandchildren Austin Schenkel (Maddie), Brooke Schenkel, Hunter Roberts (Bailee), Riley Clemons (Ford), and Joa Schenkel. Great grandchildren Cece Clemons and Luke Clemons due soon. Special nieces Cathy Knapp (Sammy), Jayme Newhouse (John), and nephew Jay Schenkel (Lesa) and very special great nieces and nephews. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Mary Schenkel, his sister Jo Ann Schenkel and his brother Rudy Schenkel. Pete attended Preston Road Church of Christ where he and Pat have been longtime members. Honorary Pallbearers are Elders and Ministers of Preston Road Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Methodist Health Systems Foundation, New Friends New Life, Salesmanship Club of Dallas, and the Juanita Craft State Fair of Texas Scholarship Program. Our family extends heartfelt appreciation to Dr. David Winter, Dr. Dan Meyer and special friend Dr. Hugh McClung for their wonderful care and visits brought to Pete with love. We also extend heartfelt thanks to Ruben Lopez, evening caregiver for Pete in his final days, Melissa and Ebony with Caring People, and to Monica and Elsa with Heart-to-Heart Hospice. We thank God for the life of Pete, and we will miss him always. Peace.
The service will be live streamed via Prestoncrest Church of Christ on the link below:
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