Charles Frederick McCaleb

WESLACO –Charles Frederick McCaleb Jr., known to many as Fred or “Papa Fred”, was born on June 2nd, 1941 in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he attended Saint Theresa’s Catholic School and Corpus Christi Academy.

Weslaco was blessed with his presence when he moved here in 1963 to open McCaleb Funeral Home with his parents, Charles Frederick McCaleb Sr and Valeria, who passed away in 1986 and 1985, respectively.

Fred was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and adopted father to many. He met the love of his life just after grade school as he would run around with Bernie’s cousin, Sherman, who has since passed. He married Bernie in September, 1962. Sherman was the best man, as Fred was Sherman’s. They had a beautiful marriage of over 52 years.

He also loved Sherman, who stayed in the picture as Sherman and Joan became very dear close friends of the family, coming down at least a few times a year until Sherman’s death in 2006.

Fred and Bernie lost their first born son, Charles Frederick McCaleb III, in March, 1998, which was, of course, devastating.
They have three more sons, Mark (Carla) McCaleb of Weslaco, Harold McCaleb of Charleston, South Carolina, and George (Jennifer) McCaleb of Weslaco.

The following year, they were blessed with their first grandson, Bradley Charles, in 1999. Then followed Luke, Riley, Celia, Patrick, and their latest addition, Madeleine.

He has a sister, Theresa (Pat) Klasing, and one nephew, Michael (Jackie) Klasing, and one niece, Amanda (Scott) Moses and one great niece Louisa Moses.
He also has a close family friend that he considers family, Fred Pfiefer.

Fred was kind, always thinking of others and did not want to see anyone in pain. He was the master of “back popping”. He could look at any member of the family, see they were in pain, and immediately ask if they needed an adjustment. Even as his health diminished, he couldn’t pick you up, but he would make the effort if you would just lean back. He carried around medicine of all sorts and would never want to see anyone in pain. “Are you hurting?” “What can I do to help?”, if he didn’t help you, he wasn’t going to stop offering until you accepted, at least something. He exemplified kindness in many ways.

Fred was a generous man, which was probably his most notable trait. He earned many awards because of his generosity, such as Outstanding Citizen of Weslaco in 2000, Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame Recipient, 2007, and Man of the Year, in 2010. He served on the Hidalgo County Rural Ambulance Board. He served as Chairman of the Weslaco Chamber, Weslaco Christmas Parade Committee and the Chamber’s Ambassador Red Coats. He served as Board of Directors of the Rio Grande Valley Chamber Partnership, Catholic War Veterans, Knights of Columbus, and Sons of American Revolution. He was an active member in Weslaco Lion’s Club, past President and the Elk’s Lodge, where he served as Exaulted Ruler, earning Elk of the Year. He also is responsible for starting, the popular Shrimp Boil, which has been sold out for the past 17 years. He started the Shrimp Boil because the Elk’s gave him $2000.00 for travel when Charles passed, he used the money, generously, to build something big.
He served on several City of Weslaco boards and the Knapp Medical Center Foundation Board, serving as President for many years and worked tirelessly to raise money for their annual fundraiser, Harvest Night. He recently created a Memory Garden for Knapp Medical Center. Fred was on the Weslaco Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Assistant Chief, Reserve Police Officer, and South Texas Veracrux Detachment. He was instrumental in having Harlon Block re-inturned at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen.

Fred was compassionate. Most everyone knows this. He recently earned his 50 year pin from the National Funeral Directors Association. He has been listening, understanding, and supporting families who have lost their loved ones for over 50 years. He was a great funeral director because of his natural gift of compassion.

Fred worked many hours with the City of Weslaco’s planning and zoning to make our streets better. He also worked many hours serving on the Weslaco Crime Stoppers board to make our city safer. We are sure we are missing many, but the most memorable fundraiser Fred will be honored for will be his Superbowl parties. He and Bernie started this in 1999 and the party grew in popularity, hosting hundreds of people at their home. All the food and drinks were provided by the McCaleb’s, all the guests had to do was, you guessed it, make a donation. He raised thousands of dollars for the RGV food bank, and later, Aurora House of Weslaco.

Fred was a dedicated man. He was the youngest Eagle Scout in Corpus Christi in the 1950’s. He served in the US Marine Corps and was very proud of being a Marine. When he started a project, he finished it. He was a dedicated father. In the late 70’s, he started selling lots at Outdoor Resorts because he wanted his children to learn the same discipline and dedication that he had. This drive allow him to send his children to th Marine Military Academy, Harlingen, Tx.

As a dedicated grandfather, he spent countless hours in the back yard tossing baseballs to his grandchildren. He was always thinking about ways he could help them and always worried about them.

Fred was caring to all! He and Bernie opened their doors to many. Hence the name, “Papa” Fred. Their home became a second home to many of the boys’ childhood friends. The Marine Military Academy kids spent many weekends with the McCaleb’s and they would care for them as their own.
Fred was sentimental, crying at the drop of a hat. He cried at weddings, awards, really just about any event. He was just that type of guy, as some would call him, a big teddy bear. He was tough on the outside, but sentimental all the while.

Fred was an intelligent man and always knew something about everything. Whether he knew it or not, he was always sure of himself. If you wanted to know something about history, hunting, fishing, sports, medicine, you name it, he was sure to give you an answer. He just knew that each year was going to be our year for a hurricane like Beulah. This started every May and didn’t end until hurricane season was over.

He loved hunting, fishing, growing citrus and grapes. We often called him “Captain Chaos”, which it was until the end. The last moments of his life, he kept it that way. He always wanted it to be just a tad more chaotic, which kept you at the edge of your seat.


Fred was a faithful man. He was very strong in his faith and almost never missed his weekly mass. He would light a candle anytime one of us was traveling or under any sort of duress. Anytime we took a trip, the rosary was prayed during the beginning of the journey. He was a man of great faith in his heavenly father and there is no doubt he is smiling down on all of us now, free from sorrow and pain. We now have a true guardian angel watching over us. Although we will all miss the laughter and the crying, he is in eternal peace.

On behalf of the McCaleb Family we like to thank everyone who send flowers, McCaleb Funeral Home has received so many flowers from family and dear friends. The family of Charles “Fred” McCaleb Jr. appreciates your kind expression of sympathy. At this time the McCaleb Family ask that contributions be sent to the following charities: Aurora’s House in Weslaco, Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas Lion’s Camp, Weslaco Elks, Knapp Hospice or a charity of your choice