Mr. George T. Cervenka Sr., 84, of Hallettsville, died Sept. 7, 2008. He was born on March 24, 1924 to the late Charles J. & Tonie Trlica Cervenka in Moravia, Texas. He married Helen LaJoyce Hoegemeyer Cervenka on Dec. 7, 1957 at First United Methodist Church of Hallettsville. He was a Veteran of WWII, a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., and First United Methodist Church.

George entered military service on Feb. 26, 1943 in the United States Marine Corps and was Honorable Discharged on Feb. 9, 1946. His service included the Asiatic Pacific Area, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Marianas Islands, Ryukyu Islands, and China. He participated in action against the Japanese on Okinawa and in the occupation of China. He was wounded at Guadalcanal.

After returning home to Hallettsville from the war, he received his GED. He then worked in plant construction along the Gulf Coast for the next 10 years. In 1957 he went to work for Shell Oil Company from which he retired in 1986.

George was always involved in helping the community. He was one of the first directors of the Hallettsville Junior Livestock Show where he loved working and kidding around with the kids of the community. He retired after more than twenty-five years of service. He was also a member of the Hallettsville Volunteer Fire Department and the Masonic Lodge.

George enjoyed the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, raising cattle, barbecuing, gardening, and canning his own vegetables. But most of all he loved his family. He enjoyed sitting outside in his rocking chair in the afternoons visiting with his children and his two daughters-in-law, Janet and Karen.

But his greatest pride and joy were his 6 grandkids: Hannah, Rachel, Garrett, Caleb, Jarrod, and Lauren. One of his greatest pleasures in his later years was sitting on his back porch and watching his beloved grandkids play in the backyard.

George was a hard-working, honest, and respected member of the community. He was a caring person who could always be counted on to pitch in and help in times of need. He loved to joke and kid around with everyone. He always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye and something outrageous to say.

George is survived by: wife Helen LaJoyce Cervenka; 2 sons, George T. "Bubba" Cervenka Jr. & wife Karen, and Otto Cervenka & wife Janet; daughter Joyce "Missy" Cervenka, all of Hallettsville; 2 sisters, Lorene Frank of Houston, and Margie Sklar of Placedo; and 6 grandchildren, Hannah Ruth Cervenka, Rachel Beth Cervenka, Garrett Travis Cervenka, Caleb Joseph Cervenka, Jarrod Seth Cervenka, and Lauren Renee Cervenka.

He will be missed. We Love You!!!

Service: 10 am, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, at First United Methodist Church. Visitation: 1 pm, Tuesday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiate: Rev. Lundy Hooten. Pallbearers: Rick Rose, Ronnie Sevcik, Harold Frank Jr., Charles Sklar, Ernest Rigsby, Lonnie Varner, Lester Little, and Tommy Hermes. Honorary Pallbearers: Robert Pesek, Jerry Lackey, and Jimmy Bucek. Memorials: Hallettsville Jr. Livestock Show, First United Methodist Church, or Donor's Choice. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery.