George Emil Bujnoch was born on July 20, 1928 to George and Apolena Miculek Bujnoch in Lavaca County about 8 miles from Hallettsville, near Mont. He was the second youngest of eight children. George attended Thompson School through 7th grade and then quit school to help on the family farm. Later he studied for and received his GED.

In 1948 he danced with Dorothy Grafe at a dance at Wied Hall and in June of 1949 they began dating. In 1950, they became engaged. That fall George was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He served with the 224th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division in Korea on the front lines, seeing much action and enduring many close encounters during battle. George received the Army of Occupation (Japan) Medal, Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service (Korea) Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

George and Dorothy wrote to each other almost daily while George was away in the Army and on his return they married on November 24, 1952. After their wedding, they moved to Houston. George and Dorothy had two children, Kathleen born in 1953 and Kenneth in 1957. George worked a number of jobs including Brown and Root and Hughes Tool before joining his brother Leon in forming Industrial Casting Company. Later Industrial Casting opened a second shop outside Hallettsville. George retired from the business in 1991.

George and Dorothy returned to Hallettsville in 1980 and built a home on the farm where George was raised. George raised cattle, built a large orchard and garden, and immensely enjoyed his dogs, his ducks and his close connection to the land that had been in his family so long. He was always active and loved playing tennis and going fishing.

George was active in church work. He served two terms on the Sacred Heart Parish Advisory Council, and was a member of the Parish Finance Council until his death. He also served as an extra ordinary minister of Holy Communion. George has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus since 1952 and of the 4th Degree since 1971. He enjoyed cooking for parish picnics and other KC functions.

In 2003 George was named a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by his Holiness Pope John Paul II. He was very proud of the honor and served as honor guard to the bishop at every opportunity.

George was proud of his Czech heritage. In 1979, George and Dorothy made their first trip to the Czech Republic connecting with Czech relatives for the first time in 107 years. Over the years they made a total of 7 trips to visit Czech relatives. George was a charter member in both the Czech Heritage Society of Texas and the Lavaca County chapter. He served as Trustee in the state organization and president and director of the Lavaca County chapter. He organized a Tarock Club in Hallettsville which meets weekly to play Tarocks and teach others to play. George was instrumental in starting the Hallettsville Tarock Tournament in 1994 and served as Co-Chairman of the annual Tournament for many years. George was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion.

George and Dorothy loved to travel. They have visited 39 states in the US and traveled to more than 35 countries on 5 continents.

George loved meeting people and keeping in contact with friends far and wide. He never hesitated to talk to a stranger at home or while traveling and these resulted in many close friendships worldwide which they maintain to this day.

George loved family, family reunions and hosting family gatherings and celebrations. He loved decorating for Christmas and was proud of his life size Nativity scene topped by a 7 foot star that he assembled each Christmas for passers-by to enjoy.

George was a wonderful husband to his wife of 56 years, a loving and supportive father to his children, a treasured friend and mentor to so many. He will be missed.

George is survived by: his wife Dorothy; son Kenneth G. Bujnoch; daughter Kathleen Bujnoch Parsons; 2 sisters, Elsie Steffek and Mary Helen Bujnoch; and many godchildren, nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by: his parents; 4 sisters, Annie Dornak, Olga Bujnoch, Lottie Kocian, and Henrietta Nevlud; and brother Leon Bujnoch.

Mass Funeral: 2 pm, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation: 12 noon, Saturday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7:30 pm, Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church . Officiates: Bishop David Fellhauer, Bishop Charles Grahmann, Rev. John Peters, and Rev. Greg Nevlud. Pallbearers: David Bujnoch, Tim Bujnoch, Greg Dornak, Tommy Dornak, James Steffek, Clarence Kocian, Joe J. Nevlud, and Roger Janak. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Catholic School, or Czech Heritage Society of Texas. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.