Albin Joseph "A.J." Kutac, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2024, at the home he built with his cherished wife, Ethelyn (Jo) Renken Kutac, 55 years ago in Hallettsville, Texas. Surrounded by his loving family, A.J departed this world as he lived, enveloped in love.

Born on April 27, 1942, A.J. was baptized at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home, Texas. Raised on his family's farm, he learned the value of hard work and a simple life from an early age, lessons he would carry throughout his life. He was the son of Stanley and Millie Migl Kutac and is predeceased by his parents, an infant sister, Laverne Kutac, and his brother, Wilbert Kutac.

A.J. graduated from Shiner High School in 1960, attended Baldwin Business College and served in the National Guard. He and Jo were married at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner on February 20, 1965. He spent 25 years as a sales manager at Ehler's Furniture on the town square in Hallettsville before joining Jo in running her successful business, Jo's Greenhut and Nursery, which they operated for another 25 years. In his retirement, A.J. worked for his daughter's business, ADmark, continuing to put his sales skills to use. He was a numbers guy.  A.J. and Jo took great pride in teaching their children the value of hard work and treating every customer as a friend. A.J. was very proud to witness his sacrifices culminate in a Catholic education for his children at Sacred Heart School and the ability to send them to college. His favorite conversation piece was bragging about his kids.

A.J. is survived by his beloved wife, Jo, and their four children: Elisa Partain (Matthew), Cherise Branch (Steve), Keith Kutac (Lauren), and Shera Eichler (David), 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren, who carry forward his legacy of love and hard work.

A devoted parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, A.J. attended Mass every Sunday at 8:00 am with his family during their children's upbringing and well-beyond. His faith was central to his life.

A.J. was a passionate player of straight dominoes, earning a well-deserved induction into the Texas State Championship Hall of Fame in 2011. His home's "domino room" proudly displays trophies and plaques from numerous tournaments across Texas, including a first place finish at Hallettsville's State Championship Domino Tournament. He cherished the camaraderie of his domino buddies at the "Tin Can" and the golf course.

In addition to dominoes, A.J. enjoyed trips to Louisiana casinos, canning, pickling and making sausage, gardening, peeling pecans, barbecuing, deer hunting, and riding his lawnmower.  He was a fierce competitor; helping his kids raise and exhibit their lambs at the Livestock Show ("It's showtime, Bubba.") and watching his kids and grandkids play sports. Few things made him happier than driving around in his black truck, scratching a lotto ticket, listening to songs that told a good story, and drinking a few cold Lone Star Lights.

He will be missed dearly by his grandchildren: Sydney Partain, Madison Bell, Emerson and Hayden Eichler, Rhett Branch, Laekyn Lemus, Ashley Partain, Dodge Bludau, Reese Bludau, Austin Kutac, Hudson Kutac, Peyton Cull, Cameron Cull, and T.J. Bell, who will serve as pallbearers along with dear family friend Greg Kolenovsky. Honorary pallbearers are his special domino buddies, Clarence Brown and Pat Henke.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. John White, Dr. Scott Stein, Dr. Lewis Clarke, Dr. Maurice Wilkinson, Nurse Practitioner and extra special daughter-in-law Lauren Kutac, and the dedicated nursing and therapy teams of Lavaca Medical Center and Hospice of South Texas for their compassionate care.

A.J. Kutac will be remembered not just for his many accomplishments, but for the love, laughter, sarcasm, and one-liners he shared with all who knew him. His spirit lives on in the hearts of his family and friends, and he will be deeply missed.

"See you down the road!" – A.J.

Visitation: Noon, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Rosary: 1:30 pm, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Funeral Mass :  2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Fellowship :  Immediately following at Sacred Heart Family Center

Officiants: Monsignor John Peters and Father Michael Rother

Burial : Private at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery

Memorials :  Sacred Heart Catholic School Athletic Department – Hallettsville, TX