VIERTEL AJ (Albert Johnny) Viertel, 80, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 29, 2014. He was born to Max and Alice Byrd Viertel in Samford, Texas on November 2, 1933. He was raised in Albany, TX and graduated from Albany High School in 1952, where he was an All State offensive lineman. He attended Hardin-Simmons University on a football scholarship and was a member of the Cowboys for Christ. AJ graduated from there in 1956. He then honorably served his country and was stationed in Germany from 1956-1958. While in the Army he played on the US Military football team which won the European Championship. In 1959 he married his love Patsy Lynn Manning. AJ had a love and passion for football and educating students. He served as a football coach and administrator from 1958-1990. He coached at Nocona, Sweetwater, Haskell, Hondo, Irving MacArthur, Tahoka, and George West. In 1973 he was voted as the South Plains 2A coach of the year. He moved to George West in 1974 and in 1990 finished his educational career as principal with the George West ISD. Among his other great loves... he loved to sing. AJ was music director for the churches in many of the places he lived and coached. While at Hardin-Simmons, renowned Choral Director, Euell Porter invited his students to hear AJ’s beautiful bass voice... what he called a REAL bass voice. In 2002 he joined the Singing Men of South Texas. While with this group he was able to travel to Moldova and New England to do missions and concerts. AJ was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church in George West, TX. He loved his family, loved ranching, and working with youth and serving the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all. He is preceded in death by his parents Max and Alice Viertel. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 55 years Patsy Viertel of George West, a son Jay Viertel and his wife Sarah of Beeville, Daughter Julie Garner and husband Dale of Boerne, five grandchildren Alexia Viertel, Brady (Adam) Palacios, Casey Viertel, AJ Viertel, and Caleb Garner, a nephew JW Turner who lived with AJ and Patsy through his high school years, Mother-in-law Marie Larkin of George West, Brothers Art Viertel and wife Betty of Albany, TX, Weldon Viertel and wife Jo of Tyler, a sister Maxine Crow and husband Glenn of New Braunfels, and many nephews and nieces who he loved and stayed in contact with. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 1, 2014 at the First Baptist Church from 11 am-2p.m. Funeral service will begin at 2pm that same afternoon. Interment will follow in the George West cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tim Viertel, A.J. Viertel, Mark Viertel, Jon Viertel, J.W. Turner, Adam Palacios, Kyle Viertel, and Joel Viertel.