Gregory Neil Wahlberg, 64, of Cross Plains

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Gregory Neil Wahlberg, passed away on July 23, 2022, at the age of 64.

A service honoring his life will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11 AM at Cross Plains First United Methodist Church, 1000 N Main Street, Cross Plains, Texas. Pastor Kevin Morton will be officiating.

The family will visit with friends and loved ones immediately following the service in the fellowship hall at the church.

A private family burial at the Cross Plains Memorial Cemetery will be held prior to the service at the church.

Greg was born in Houston, Texas on June 6, 1958, to parents Bernice and James E. (Jimmy) Wahlberg. He grew up in Houston, attending Waltrip High School where he played baseball. Greg’s passion for baseball continued to grow when he played in college with the Texas Aggie practice team and countless intramural softball games.

Greg pursued his love of the great outdoors by earning his Bachelor of Science at Texas A & M in 1980 in Recreation and Parks Management, with an emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Greg spent the majority of his career, over 30 years, working at Atlas Fluid Control in Houston where he was involved in the testing and repair of servo valves and helped in the development of new valve designs for the oil and gas industry.

On October 12, 1985, Greg married the love of his life Brenda Ann Loyd, whom he met at Texas A & M. They were married 36 years and had one daughter, Molly Anne. Greg took special delight in sharing with Molly his great love of the outdoors and the beauty of creation. He was especially excited at the birth of two beautiful grandchildren Lainey and Liam Estrada.

Greg grew up exploring the woods around Cat Spring, Texas where his German ancestors settled in the mid 1800’s. He spent his summers as a child playing in the creeks and riding his dirt bike at his grandparents’ home. Brenda and Greg shared many wonderful memories of their time in Cat Spring.

In 2016, Brenda and Greg moved to Callahan County near Cross Plains where they lived their dream of building a home in the country, searching for arrowheads, hunting, and enjoying the local wildlife. They were quickly welcomed into the friendly Cross Plains community. In 2018, Greg’s longtime childhood friend, Johnny Rolke, also built a home on property adjacent to their land, which made for many ATV adventures.

Greg will be most remembered for his fun sense of humor. He loved to tease and trade quips. The great outdoors was the place where Greg felt God’s presence most deeply.

Greg is survived by his wife Brenda, daughter Molly Estrada and husband Josh, two beautiful grandchildren, Lainey Quinn and Liam Carlo Estrada, sister Sandy Wahlberg Eder and husband Charlie, cousins Joyce Chandler and Charlie Eckardt, and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Bernice and Jimmy Wahlberg.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be sent to the Cross Plains Food Pantry at First United Methodist Church (1000 N. Main Street, Cross Plains, Texas 76443), the Cross Plains Public Library (P.O. Box 333, Cross Plains, TX 76443) or a charity of your choice.

Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at https://www.higginbothamfuneralhomecrossplains.com/

Higginbotham Funeral Home of Cross Plains, 309 N E 4th Street. 254-725-6153 is in charge of arrangements.