Matagorda County Obituaries
K
Douglas Ray Kamman
August 15, 1959 - April 11, 2019
Douglas Ray Kamman, 59, of Palacios passed away at his home April 11, 2019. He was born August 15, 1959 in Chicago, IL to the late Gene and Ruth Allen Kamman.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Pamela Schurtz Kamman; daughter Torie (Richard “Peewee”) Malone; sons Allen Polensky and Jerimy (Brandy) Polensky; grandson Keyton Malone; granddaughters Tristan Polensky (Mother- Ashley Hahn), KatLynn Malone, Taylor Polensky, Reilly Polensky and Kori (Mason) Mesa; sisters Kathy Zenker and Terry (Sean) Ostrander; brothers Alvin (Fran) Kamman and Kenneth (Jennifer) Kamman; step-mother Wanda Kamman, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Doug was a hard worker as a welder, pipefitter and Rigger. He always put his family and close friends first in his life.
He loved fishing, riding his Harley and bull riding as well as training horses. He loved working with his granddaughter, Tristan, and her horse, Gypsy, that he bought for her, even though she didn’t listen a lot. He also loved dancing with his wife. He traveled the states and different countries working as a welder, mostly in supervision rolls because the company knew that he could get the work done.
If he was your friend, he was a friend for life and if you were an enemy, well you better watch out.
Doug would do anything for anyone. There where people that admired him and some people that couldn’t handle him. He took pride in his work and he always pushed to be the best at whatever he did, both on the job and off.
His daddy always told him that his name was what he made it. He worked hard…played hard…loved hard. His family was always number one and at the top of his list. Also on that list are a few close friends who he calls brothers.
The family will receive friends and relatives beginning 10:00am Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow visitation at12:00pm Noon at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Midfield Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Danny DeWoody, Mike Richter, Scott Coulter, Doug Traweek, Vincent Garcia and Ken Byrd. Honorary Pallbearers are Jerimy Polensky, Allen Polensky, Richard (PeeWee) Malone, Keyton Malone, and Mason Mesa.
Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
Kathy Lynne Keenon
June 23, 1958 - December 22, 2018
Kathy Keenon, 60, of Van Vleck, TX passed away December 22, 2018 due to complications from heart surgery. Kathy was born in Bay City, TX to Roy and Florence (Hanna) Clegg on June 23, 1958. She graduated from Van Vleck High School in 1976 and received her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Texas A&M University. She worked at many occupations over the years but her calling was teaching. She recently retired from Van Vleck ISD where she taught math for many years.
Kathy is survived by her husband: Patrick James Keenon of Van Vleck; daughter: Lauren (Diehm) Cleveland & husband Derrick: 3 grandchildren: Evangeline, Malachi and Magdalena of Jacksonville, FL; father: Roy Clegg of Van Vleck; sister: Dianne Mitros & husband Tim of Colorado Springs, CO; and brother: Glenn Clegg & wife Robin of Van Vleck. She was preceded in death by her mother.
The family will receive visitors from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, December 28, 2018 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, 2313 Avenue I, Bay City, Texas. A celebration honoring her life is scheduled for Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 10:30 AM at First Baptist Church of Van Vleck, 9210 State Highway 35 N. Van Vleck, Texas. A graveside service will be held 3:00 PM Saturday at the Lehrer Memorial Cemetery in Garwood Texas.
Bay City Tribune,
December 26, 2018
LTC. Jack Norvil Keller, USA (Ret.)
November 3, 1931 – November 29, 2018
Jack Norvil Keller passed away peacefully November 29, 2018, at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas after a long struggle with congestive heart failure. He was born November 3, 1931, in Bay City, Texas, to the late Don Elroy Keller, Sr., and Mary Caroline Wright.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Dawson; brothers, Don Keller, William Keller, and Wilber Maurice Keller; and by his daughter, Martha Keller.
He is survived by Patti Keller, his loving and devoted wife of 37 years; a daughter; granddaughter; great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.
He received his B.S. degree in Administration from The George Washington University in 1973. He is a veteran of the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. He enlisted in the Air Force at 18 years of age and was quickly selected for Officer Candidate School in the Army. During his Army Career with the Corps of Engineers, he took on numerous assignments and progressed through the rank of LTC prior to his retirement from active duty service. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant as a Combat Engineer in 1952. He served in France from 1952-1955 in the Communications Zone and then in the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War. During the Cold War, he served with the Engineer Construction Group Headquarters in Germany. In Viet Nam he served with the Military Advisory Command as advisor to the Vietnamese Army Chief of Engineers. He honorably retired on June 30, 1970, having received numerous awards and distinctions to include the Legion of Merit. He returned to federal service in 1972 working for the Department of Justice and later the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
He met Patti in 1979, and they were married July 25, 1981, at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. He and Patti enjoyed a busy life living in Washington, D.C.; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; and finally, in San Antonio, Texas, when he completed his second career with the United States government, retiring in 1977. He was committed to the veterans at Audie L. Murphy Veterans Administration Hospital and had volunteered over 1,000 hours. At his request and with his guidance, the Texas Department of Transportation created the Legion of Merit license plate. He was a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. He will be remembered as an adventurous character with a zest for life, a passionate patriot and a loving and generous husband. He was sharp-witted and a jovial man, quick to tell a joke and lighten the mood. He lived life on his own terms and made the world a better place. He will be missed.
Visitation will be at Porter Loring Mortuary North on December 10, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1416 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas with Fr. Dick Elwood will officiating.
Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be given in his memory to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or a favorite charity.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com
Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232; 210-495-8221.
Bay City Tribune,
December 9, 2018
Paul W. Kemp
Marie J. Kemp - Roselawn Memorial
Park - Photos courtesy of Faye Cunningham
Henry B. Kendrick
Mildred Kendrick
Roselawn Memorial Park
Courtesy of Faye Cunningham
Beckett Monroe Kile
February 23, 2022 - April 23, 2022
Beckett Monroe Kile of Bay City passed away peacefully in the arms of
his parents on April 23, 2022. He was born February 23, 2022.
Beckett was loved by so many. Beckett loved taking bubble baths with his mom, Rachel and loved listening to the Beatles with his dad, Craig while he worked on projects in the garage. He also loved spending time with his three grandparents, Ya-Ya, Honey, and Granpop and he lit up when he saw his beautiful sisters, Scarlett and M’Keana. He loved being held close by his parents and grandparents. He had just started showing his beautiful smile and personality with his cute dimples. He will be missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Freddie Kile.
He is survived by his parents, Craig Kile and Rachel Johnson; maternal grandparents, Rick “Granpop” and Martha “Honey” Johnson; paternal grandmother, Carolyn “Ya-Ya” Kile; sisters, Scarlett and M’Keana Kile; uncles and aunts, Casey Kile (Amy), Clint Kile (Tori), and Paige Relle (Clayton) and a number of cousins and other relatives.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Nichols Street Church of Christ. Funeral service will be at 10:00 AM with Dr. James Ely officiating. Pallbearers; Casey Kile and Clint Kile. Honorary Pallbearers; Farris Crain, John Fitzgerald, Frank Hurley, James Kile, and Jason Roe
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made via GoFundMe in memory of Beckett Monroe Kile. All donations will be given to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital where Beckett was cared for by the most caring team we could ask for.
Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
[Burial at Roselawn Memorial
Park, Van Vleck, Texas]
Hattie K. Kimich - Roselawn
Memorial Park - Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
Denyse H. Kimmel
- Roselawn Memorial Park - Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
Denyse Kimmel
Requiem mass for Mrs. Marion (Denyse) Kimmel, 37, will be said at 10 am Tuesday in Holy Cross Catholic Church. Rev. Richard Jeffrey officiating. Rosary at 8 pm Monday will be at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Park.
Mrs. Kimmel died Thursday night at Houston’s Methodist Hospital of a malignancy, and had been ill for some time. She was a housewife and a mother of three daughters.
Survivors include the husband, Marion L. Kimmel, three daughters, Rosemary, Claudette, Kathleen, all of Bay City; parents Mr. and Mrs. Jean Andres Vignaud, brothers, Marcel, Paul, and Pierrre Vignaud; sisters, Mmes, Paule Faucher, Jeanene Rozes, all of France.
Daily Tribune, July 29, 1963
Obituary courtesy of Faye Cunningham
1879 – 1962
T. Kinsey Funeral Rites Are Friday
Funeral services for Allen Thurman Kinsey, 82, of 3021 Avenue L, will be held at 4:30 PM Friday in the Bay City Funeral Home. Rev. Ferman R. Weedon of the Bay City First Baptist Church will officiate, assisted by Rev. Billy Norton of the Newgulf Baptist Church. Interment will be made in the Bay City Cemetery.
Mr. Kinsey, a resident of Bay City for 30 years and an architect-builder by profession, died Wednesday afternoon in Matagorda General Hospital following a brief illness.
Survivors include: the widow, Mrs. Ethel Sutherland Kinsey of Bay City; one daughter, Mrs. S. W. Rugeley of Channelview; one sister, Mrs. Laveta Pantry of Sinclairville, Ohio; two brothers, Merril Kinsey of Bellaire, Ohio and George William Kinsey of Charleston, West Virginia.
Pallbearers will be J. D. Sutherland, Connie R. Anderson, Arthur W. Brown, R. L. Carroll, S. C. Creech, Clarence Mehrens, J. E. Fanson and W. B. Herman.
The Daily Tribune, date unknown
1877 – 1972
R. O. Kiser Dies at 94
A longtime resident and active businessman in Bay City passed away Thursday evening at the age of 94.
Known best as Oscar Kiser, he came to north Texas from Georgia at the age of 21 and moved to Bay City in November 1914 with his wife Anna Gaines Kiser and two daughters. Mrs. Kiser died June 5, 1938. He married Julia West in April 1940.
He assumed the management of the Bay City Lumber Company when he moved here, which position he held until his retirement at age 75. He was a charter member of the Bay City Rotary Club and was president of that group in 1936. He was also very active in the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts and other civic organizations.
He joined the First Baptist Church when he moved to Bay City and served that church as treasurer and as a Sunday School teacher. He was also active in the I.O.O.F. As an original member of the Board of Directors of the Bay City Federal Savings and Loan, he also served that business as an appraiser.
The Daily Tribune, date unknown
1856 – 1921
Mrs. Dollie Knowles, wife of W. B. Knowles, died at their residence in Markham today, and her body was brought here and buried in Cedarvale Cemetery at 3:30 PM.
Deceased was a native of the State of Georgia, and moved to Texas several years ago. She had been a member of the Methodist Church for a number of years and lived a consistent Christian life. She leaves a husband and one son, W. R. Knowles, and a large number of relatives and friends to mourn her death.
The Daily Tribune, November 8, 1921
April 6, 1866 – January 11, 1941
Funeral Services Are Held For Buckeye Postmaster
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for W. H. Knowles, 74, who died Saturday morning at 12:30 o’clock.
Mr. Knowles, a resident of Buckeye for thirty years, was postmaster at the time of his death.
Surviving him are his wife and one son, Haskell, of Buckeye.
The Rev. R. E. Black of Markham officiated at the services and burial was in the Cedarvale Cemetery.
The Daily Tribune, January 16, 1941
February 20, 1899 – October 5, 1993
Funeral services for Louis Frank Kocurek, 94, of Bay City, are scheduled for 2:00 PM Thursday at the Bay City Funeral Home in Bay City, with Msgr. James Brunner of Holy Cross Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery.
Mr. Kocurek was born February 20, 1899, in Fayetteville to Frank and Annie Derbia Kocurek and died October 5, 1993, at his residence.
Survivors include his wife, Leona Kocurek of Bay City; four daughters, Ruby L. Shawler of LaPorte, Vera F. Clements of Bay City, Thelma V. Gelber of Wharton and Flossie M. Dreher of Bay City; two half brothers, Edwin Kocurekk of Hallettsville and Robert Kocurek of Corpus Christi; three sisters, Annie Regmund of Corpus Christi, Betty Goodett of Brenham and Amelia Mangen of Corpus Christi; a half sister, Albina Kocurek of Corpus Christi; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of Dick R. Elkins, Bay City Funeral Home in Bay City.
The Daily Tribune, October 7, 1993
Elizabeth Arlene Kopecky, infant daughter of Virgil and Lucille Kopecky, passed away October 22 at Matagorda General Hospital. She is survived by: her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Kopecky; two sisters, Diana and Christal; and two brothers, Adam and David Kopecky.
Funeral services were held October 24 at Cedarvale Cemetery with Rev. J. B. Shannon officiating. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.
The Daily Tribune, October 25, 1977
December 14, 1919 – January 8, 1998
Funeral services for Lorene Reese Kopecky, 78, of El Maton, were held January 10, 1998, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Chester Sassman officiating. Interment was at Cedarvale Cemetery.
Mrs. Kopecky was born December 14, 1919, in Dutton, Alabama to the late Norman Oscar and Alice Roberta Robertson White. She died January 8, 1998, at a Victoria hospital.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and Rebecca Lodge No. 41 of Bay City. She had been a resident of El Maton for the past 18 months and was a former longtime resident of Bay City.
She is survived by: her husband, Alfred Kopecky, of El Maton; daughters and sons-in-law Billie Sue and Noel Smith of Blessing, Brenda and Randy Smith of Bay City; son and daughter-in-law, Norman W. and Ronnie Lynn Reese of Angleton; a sister, Clara Fisher of Wharton; a brother, James A. White of Scottsdale, Arizona; six grandchildren, Christie Ann Hankins of Lewisville, Robert Reese Lane of Breckenridge, Colorado, Wendell Reese of Clute, George Brandon Lane of Clear Lake, Woodrow Joseph Gernand III of Bay City and Ford Greyson Smith of Bay City; and three great-grandchildren, Kenya Diane Hankins, Kenny Duane Hankins, and Tiffany Allison Reese.
Pallbearers were T. J. Middleton, J. R. Middleton, Owen Middleton, Johnny Kovar, and J. C. Bacon. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Alfred Kopecky, Terry McCormack, Jack Hamilton, Joe Lowery and Dub Clayton.
The Daily Tribune, January 14, 1998
Janice Merle Koudelka
October 11, 1943 - April 29, 2019
As the sun rose and kissed the Texas Gulf Coast on April 29, 2019, a loving wife, mother and friend Janice Koudelka, awoke in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Eugene Koudelka. Daughter Patti Ragsdale and husband Robert. Grandchildren Chad Henderson and wife Lindsey, and Cole Ragsdale. Daughter Pam Smith and husband Brian. Grandchildren Chase Geffert, Christen Lane and husband Bobby. Sister Lila Fortenberry and husband Jack, sister-in-law Cil Thomas, a dear cousin Aline Holtzman, numerous nieces, nephews and special friends Rob and Sherri Geffert, and Clark Gray. She is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Jessie Thomas; brothers Willie Earl and James Thomas, and best friend Mitsue Gray.
Mom was born, married and lived her life in Bay City. She helped raise her grandchildren and was so very proud of them. They were blessed to have her in, and be a part of their daily lives growing up. Our beautiful Mom taught us to not only love but to live a life that we could be proud of, to work hard, smile often, and cherish every moment with family and friends. She had such a huge and caring heart, loved gardening in her flower beds, shopping, anything pink and gambling in Coushatta where she was always lucky.
She made the world a better place and we will miss her deeply!
Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home . A rosary will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Thursday, May 2,019 at 9:30am, followed by mass at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Pallbearers are Cole Ragsdale, Bobby Lane, Brian Smith, Robert Ragsdale, Rob Geffert and Bob King.
Bay City Tribune, Wednesday, May 1, 2019 Photo courtesy of Faye Cunningham
Signe Kathryn Petersen Kralich
November 30, 1946 – March 19, 2019
Signe Petersen Kralich passed away March 19, 2019 at the age of 72.
Signe was born November 30, 1946 in
Wharton, Texas to Leo and Mary Petersen. Her father and mother were
motel operators. In addition, her mother worked as a school teacher.
Signe followed in her mother's footsteps as a teacher. She taught High
School homemaking at Wharton and North Zulch. After subsequently staying
home to raise her family, Signe taught kindergarten at College Hills
elementary in College Station, Texas for 20 years. She loved seeing the
progression of her students and readying them for first grade.
It was important to Signe to be
self-sufficient and independent. These attributes held significant
importance to Signe's maternal ancestry for many generations, and they
were important to Signe. She passed the importance of self-sufficiency
and independence on to her daughter.
As a child, Signe enjoyed visiting her
maternal grandparents in Leonard, Texas, where many fond memories were
made on the farm.
Signe met Bob at a dance. Signe was
attending Texas Women's University in Denton and Bob was stationed in
Mineral Wells. While Signe was paired with Bob's friend, Signe and Bob
struck up a friendship that grew over the years. They maintained their
friendship through letters while Bob served in Vietnam flying
helicopters. When Bob completed his military service, Bob and Signe were
reunited in Durango, Colorado on a skiing trip. They fell in love! Bob
returned to Montana and called her to say there were no college classes
in Montana. She thought that was hard to believe since he was a college
Freshman!! He moved from Montana to Texas in his red beetle Volkswagen.
They were married July 18, 1970.
Signe was a talented, detail-oriented
seamstress. She took great pride in sewing one-of-a-kind outfits for her
children and grandchildren. She also made her grandchildren's baby
blankets, known as a Ducky, Bobby, and Be-do.
Her proudest achievement was being a
grandmother. She was lovingly called Nina by her grandchildren.
Traditions with her grandchildren included annual completion of the
Christmas puzzle and ensuring her grandchildren used appropriate
grammar. Nina spent countless hours in the kitchen preparing her loved
ones' favorite dishes: buttermilk pancakes, chicken spaghetti, "quesalas",
and ham.
Signe will be greatly missed by her
husband, Bob, her son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Aspen Kralich and
their children Layne and Cove; her daughter and son-in-law Signe and
Rodney Horrell and their children Ethan, Owen, Asher and Hazel; her
mother, Mary Petersen; and her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Carol
Petersen and their children Stuart and Ryan.
Throughout her life, Signe Kralich was a
wonderful wife, friend, teacher, mentor, mother, and grandmother.
Funeral and celebration of life will be
Monday, March 25, 2019, at 5 p.m. at Hillier Funeral Home in College
Station.
The family would like to extend a
special thanks to all who lifted her spirit during her battle with
cancer, especially Ellen Fox, Karen Steck, and Melody Gayle.
Donations in Signe's memory may be made
to Hospice Brazos Valley.
Hillier Funeral Home, College Station
Adolph Krenek - Roselawn Memorial
Park
Doris
Krenek - Roselawn Memorial Park
Photos courtesy of Faye Cunningham
June 6, 1927 – July 7, 1991
Funeral services for Clarence N. Krenek, Sr., 64, of Bay City were scheduled for 2:00 PM today at St. Paul’s Methodist Church with the Rev. Kenneth W. Goodell officiating. Burial was to follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.
Mr. Krenek was born June 6, 1927, to Ernest F. and Antonie Marie Skutca Krenek in Nada and died July 7, 1991, at Matagorda General Hospital.
He retired from Phillips as a shift supervisor in July 1985 and was a director of Crime Stoppers. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the ’84 Discovery Class and attended the Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Krenek of Bay City; two sons, Clarence Krenek, Jr. of Bay City and John Manuel of Austin; three daughters, Deborah Fine of Carrollton, Catherine Hays of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Michelle Long, also of Texarkana, Arkansas; a brother, Ernest Krenek of Jackson, Mississippi; two sisters, Joan Svatek of Bay City and Betty Dorotik of Bellevue, Washington; and eight grandchildren.
Pallbearers are John Hays, George Kilbride, Ray Kacal, E. J. Kalinec, Marvin Etgen and Ben Kaspar.
Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Methodist Church or Holy Cross School.
Services are under the direction of Dick R. Elkins of Bay City Funeral Home.
The Daily Tribune, unknown
November 13, 1907 – December 31, 2000
LOUISE – Jewel Alba Phillips Kreschke, 93, of Louise, died Sunday, December 31, 2000.
She was born November 13, 1907, in Nixon, to the late John Langley and Maggie Lee Markum Phillips. She was a Baptist.
Survivors: daughters, Rose Marie Mozisek of Louise and Kitty Rene of Manchester, New Hampshire; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: husband, Louie John Kreschke; daughter, Margaret Lois Thomas; parents, sister, and brother.
Visitation will be 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM today at Wheeler Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be 2:00 PM today at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City, the Rev. Jim Lane officiating. Wheeler Funeral Home, El Campo, 979-543-3512.
Victoria Advocate, January 2, 2001
Jeanne Louise Kruse
- Roselawn Memorial Park - Courtesy of Faye Cunningham
|
May 31, 1947 – February 20, 1994 |
September 22, 1961 – February 20, 1994 |
Funeral services for Daniel Wayne Kubeczka, 46, and Maricela Kubeczka, 32, of Bay City are scheduled for 10:00 AM Saturday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bay City, with Msgr. James Brunner officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City. A Rosary will be said at 7:00 PM today at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Bay City.
Mr. Kubeczka was born May 31, 1947, in Houston and Mrs. Kubeczka was born September 22, 1961, in Brownsville. They died February 20, 1994. He was a 1965 graduate of Spring High School and a graduate of the University of Houston. He has been a resident of Bay City since 1980. She was a 1980 graduate of Bay City High School, living in Bay City since 1978. They were members of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bay City.
Survivors include their parents, Adam and Adelia Barchak Kubeczka of Rosenberg and Cesar and Ernestine DeLaRosa Chapa of Bay City; two sons, Adam and Aaron Kubeczka of Bay City; his two sisters, Beverly Shelton of Houston and Patricia Kubeczka of Rosenberg; his two brothers, Glenn Kubeczka of Jacksonville, Arkansas and Gary Kubeczka of Bay City; her five brothers, Oscar Chapa of Corpus Christi, Noel Chapa of Bay City, Edward, Rolando and Cesar Chapa Jr., all of Dallas.
Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home of Bay City.
The Daily Tribune, February 25, 1994
Clarence Steve Kucera
December 26, 19 Harris 31 - February 12, 2019
Clarence Steve Kucera, age 87, of Van Vleck, Texas was born on December 26, 1931 in Rosenberg, Texas to Joe Jerry Kucera and Mary Wvlechek Kucera. He left this world to be with the Lord on February 12, 2019.
He met the love of his life, Milady Ann (Klobouk) Kucera, at an early age as both families lived and farmed in Iowa Colony. In 1950 they had their first date and have been inseparable since. In fact, they celebrated 65 years of marriage last August.
During High School and after graduation from Alvin High, Clarence worked on the family farm, as well as in the oilfields as a roughneck, until he was drafted in the Army. He served overseas in Germany during the Korean Conflict, and not wishing to be separated from his precious Milady and young son Ricky, they joined him in Germany shortly thereafter. While on a three-week furlough, the young family was able to travel throughout Europe, the highlight being visiting Rome, which enhanced their already profound Catholic Faith.
Once returning home from the Service, the family settled in Iowa Colony to continue raising cattle and farming rice, soybeans, cotton and hay. Clarence was a very caring and compassionate man who would help anyone. The home was always filled with family, friends, or even animals! Walking in and finding a baby calf all wrapped up in a blanket being nursed to health was an ordinary occurrence. He was famous for inviting people over to the house for lunch at the drop of a hat saying, “Come on, Milady will fix us lunch!” He loved all of God’s creatures and would do anything possible to make them comfortable. Nonetheless, he was a very strong-willed and determined man, and could do anything he put his mind to.
Clarence loved working on his ranch, spending time with family and watching western movies. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time on the back porch with a glass of sweet tea and watching his cattle graze and deer run by. Another favorite pastime included riding through his pasture with his cherished dog, Spider, along with Isidro, his ranch foreman and friend of more than 40 years.
Clarence was a longtime resident of Iowa Colony, later moving to Matagorda County to fulfill a lifetime dream of living on his ranch.
He was recognized by the Soil and Water Conservation District in both 1969 and 2007. In 1969, he was awarded for his outstanding accomplishment in soil conservation, as he was one of the first to implement water leveling in the rice fields. In 2007, he was named, “Outstanding Absentee Conservation Rancher” for outstanding accomplishments of the conservation of oil, water and related sources. He earned the Sharp Shooter designation during his time in the Army and served on the Alvin School District’s Board for many years.
Most importantly, he was a devout Catholic throughout his entire life, and practiced daily prayer and reciting his rosary nightly with Mother Angelica and the EWTN Nuns.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Kucera; Mother, Mary Kucera; and Father, Joe Kucera. He is survived by his loving spouse, Milady Kucera; son and wife, Ricky and Claire Kucera and daughter and husband, Terri and Clarence (Bubba) Martin. Additionally, his six grandchildren and their spouses, Cheryl and Kyle Rode; Tanya and Charlie Doescher; Charlotte and Zach Brumley; Kristin and Cody Marcum; Nicole and Bryan Holub; and Chance and Amanda Kucera. And finally, he is survived by his eleven great-grandchildren, all of whom will continue to pass on his legacy.
Visitation will be 5-7 PM Thursday, February 14, 2019 with a rosary at 6:30 PM at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Friday, February 15, 2019 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Greg Korenek officiating. Interment will follow at Davis-Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. Pallbearers will be Charlie Doescher, Zach Brumley, Kyle Rode, Bryan Holub, Cody Marcum and Chance Kucera.
Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
Bay City Tribune,
February 13, 2019
1890 – 1978
Alice Francis Kuesel, 87, of Bay City, died at Matagorda General Hospital Sunday. She is survived by: three daughters, Mrs. Anna Reed and Mrs. Billie Beard of Newgulf and Mrs. Erna Allen of Beaumont; two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Robison and Mrs. Florence Curry of Houston; one brother, Frank Frederick of Houston; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday at Calvary Baptist Church at 2:00 PM with Rev. Doyle Combs of Newgulf Baptist Church and Rev. Chester Sassman of Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be at Cedarvale Cemetery with Savage Watkins, Frank Balcar, George Hevener, J. O. Knight, Bob Fulton and Leo Burns serving as pallbearers.
Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.
The Daily Tribune, February 27, 1978
May 29, 1856 – June 2, 1930
Mr. H. F. Kuesel, one of the city’s pioneer settlers, died at his home in East Bay City this morning and will be buried in Cedarvale Cemetery Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, under the Lutheran Church rituals.
Mr. Kuesel was born in Fayette County 74 years ago, and with his family moved to Bay City in 1907. He engaged in the saddlery and harness making business soon after settling here and continued at it up to his death, which brought to an end many months of suffering.
Surviving are his wife, his son Hugo W. Kuesel, in business in East Bay City and a daughter, Mrs. Dora Sherrer, also of this city.
The Tribune extends its profoundest sympathy to those who have suffered the loss of husband and father.
The Daily Tribune, June 2, 1930
A. C. Kuykendall, 63, of Bay City, Texas passed away April 23, 2019.
Visitation and guest book registry will be Friday, May 3, 2019 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Bay City, Texas.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Enterprise Baptist Church in Bay City, with burial to follow at Eastview Cemetery in Bay City.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at duncanrobertsfh@gmail.com
Arrangements with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home, 2500 Avenue C (JP Davis Blvd.), Bay City, Texas; 979-245-5197.
Bay City Tribune,
Wednesday, May 1, 2019