11/07/2024
Happy Birthday Carl E. Gierisch, Sr.
It all started November 7, 1935. Our dad, Carl E. Gierisch, Sr. was born into this world in Mason County. He was raised on a farm, so he farmed and raised cattle and pigs. He ran the fields barefoot and attended a one-room schoolhouse and skipped the 1st grade. After graduating high school, he attended Lee College in Baytown, TX. He worked all over the US on survey crews, etc. He always worked… He later became a certified GM technician, but they were called mechanics in the 50s. He worked at a Chevrolet dealership in Sonora, TX, gaining knowledge in the automotive world. He worked with his brother in an auto repair shop in Cotulla, TX.
His eldest brother, Edmund aka Eddie, called him in the mid-60s and told him about a small town called Roanoke, TX. He told Carl that it was a little sleeper town, but it was going to wake up one day. He said he should open a repair shop in Roanoke. His brother always had solid advice for Carl, so he moved to Roanoke. That’s where he met Viola Dietzman. Carl was introduced to Viola by her younger sister, Christine aka Tennie. Carl and Viola dated and were married on May 14, 1965. Carl and his younger brother, Dorman, with the financial assistance of his elder brother, Eddie, built a shop on Hwy 114 in Roanoke. Prior to getting his shop off the ground, Carl worked for Know Brothers Motor Co in Keller. He also worked nights at Lassen’s Garage in Roanoke to build up some business/customers.
He opened the shop on January 3, 1966. Today, he celebrates his 89th Birthday. The business is in its 58th year and still family-owned and operated.
We wish our father, the patriarch of our family, our mentor, our small business development guy, a Happy 89th Birthday!!
Gierisch Brothers Motor Co., LTD. Is a NAPA AutoCare Center serving our community with quality automo
