Leonard Joseph Lamza, 91, of Hallettsville, passed away January 15, 2018. He was born on September 25, 1926 to Joseph L. & Amalia Kubos Lamza in LaGrange, TX. He married Fannie Brezik on June 21, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville by Rev. Clarence Leopold. He was a member the American Legion, Life Member of the V.F.W. & Knights of Columbus, and member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville.

Leonard enlisted in the US Army on February 12, 1945. He was stationed in Camp Hood, TX, Camp Livingston, LA, Camp Adair, OR, and last in Japan. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, Victory Ribbon, Army of Occupation (Japan), and 1 overseas Service Bar. He was honorable discharged on December 1, 1946; and placed on inactive status from 1948 to 1953.

Leonard worked for Sears Roebuck & Company for over 39 years. He was proud of working at Sears and he met many friends at Sears. Dad had enjoyed fishing with his buddies, Earl Berger and Dave Smith for many years. Dad enjoyed ranching after retirement. He and Mother enjoyed checking the cattle together. Dad always enjoyed traveling and camping. He and Mother took Phyllis, Charlotte and Jackie on many vacations all over the United States. He and Mom continued to travel after retirement with their good friends Patricia and Philip Schlageter. As a father, you couldn't ask for a better one. He taught "his" girls to swim, ride bikes, travel, drive a car and so many more activities too numerous to list.

Dad had great faith in God and a love for the Catholic Church. He was and always will be a role model to his daughters and grandchildren in his Faith in God. Leonard had a great love for his Country and was happy to serve in the Military. When his daughters came to him about an endeavor they were approaching, his favorite saying was "Time and Patience, Girls! Time and Patience!" That advice has been so relevant in so many ways.

Dad's love of his family was evident as you can see in the many pictures. From the love of his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and all family members, he would say he was truly blessed and we were too. Dad was a wonderful friend and one that you wanted for a lifetime. We saw him with his many friends over the years and his dedication in the friendships he developed throughout his life.

Leonard was a firm believer in reading the newspaper and watching the news on TV. He wanted to stay current with what was going on around him. Even if he missed and day or two in not reading the paper, he made time to catch up. Leonard had a love of his Czech Heritage. He loved listening to the Czech music and dancing to the music with Mother. He was also a member of the Czech Heritage Society. Dad loved to get us a real Christmas tree and put the lights on the house, and always had a talk with Santa about his girls. These are some of the reasons his daughters love Christmas so much.

Leonard is survived by: wife Fannie; 3 daughters, Phyllis Steffek & husband Phillip of Hallettsville, Charlotte Brown & husband Rodney of Katy, and Jacqueline McKay & husband Jeffery of Crosby; 2 brothers, Cleo Lamza of Iola, TX, and Billy Lamza of Houston; 3 sisters, Sydonia "Toni" Luco of Yoakum, Betty Jo Baca of Victoria, and Eunice Vincent of Corpus Christi; 5 grandchildren, Sabrina Ponton, Michelle Steffek, Amanda Steffek, Joseph Brown, and Justin McKay; and 4 great grandchildren, Caleb, Coy, Cannin and Cianna Ponton.

Leonard was preceded in death by, his parents and sister Evangeline "Vangie" O'Neal.

Funeral Mass Service: 3 pm, Friday, January 19, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 5 pm, Thursday at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary starting at 7 pm. Pallbearers: Joseph Brown, Justin McKay, Casey Ponton, Morris O'Neal, Robert (Bobby) Schlageter, and David Schlageter. Honorary Pallbearers: Caleb, Coy and Cannin Ponton. Officiant: Msgr John Peters. Memorials: Donor's Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Reception: The Sacred Heart Family Center.