George Sam Hyak died peacefully on May 4, 2024, at the age of 104. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 75 years, Sarah Cattan Hyak, his parents, and siblings.
George was born on September 26, 1919, in Victoria, TX. He grew up in the grocery business. After high school, the president “invited” him to join the army. He served in the VIII Corp under General Troy Middleton from July 1942 to September 1945. He served in the European Theater, including D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, then the Ardennes Campaign. Later in life, he would regale his family and friends with fascinating stories from his time overseas. After the war, his brother-in-law, Albert Dick asked him to become a partner in Dick’s Food Store with Bill Dick. He was also instrumental in starting the Victoria Chapter of the Elks Club and the Just Friends Club. He served as a volunteer firefighter, owned a bank for a short stint, and dabbled in real estate.
George and Sarah built an abundant life for themselves with two children, six grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and two great, great-grandchildren. George, or “Gido” as he is affectionately known by his grandchildren, loved his Lord first and then his family more than anything else. He fostered a love of sports, fishing, and hunting in his family, spending countless hours at the deer lease and Port O’Connor throughout the years. He was a sports enthusiast and could spend hours on end watching baseball, especially his beloved Astros! He was most happy when surrounded by his great-grandchildren, especially when getting to play ball with them. He enjoyed singing hymns loudly in worship to the Lord.
Left to celebrate George’s full and blessed life are daughter Karen Barton (Donald Goldman) and son Ronnie Hyak (Susan); as well as six grandchildren, Kelly Aldis (Brent), Leslie Soucek (Tim), Lauren Belk (Jeremy), Ron Hyak (Alana Del Bosque), Melanie Williams (Dustin), and Colin Keag (Stephanie); twelve great-grandchildren, Shelby, Grant, Brodie, Aiden, Savannah, Tyler, Hannah, Kinsley, Harper, Nate, Camden, and Karlee; and two great, great grandchildren, Blayke and Brielle, with one more on the way.
Visitation will be held at Rosewood Funeral Chapel on Thursday, May 9th from 5-7 pm. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Friday, May 10th at 10:00 am with a burial service immediately following at Memorial Park with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria County Veterans Council.
Pallbearers are Brent Aldis, Tim Soucek, Jeremy Belk, Dustin Williams, Ron Hyak, and Colin Keag. Honorary Pallbearers are Jimmy Rouse, Tommy Hyak, Tommy Joe Hyak, Randy Carroll, and Sam Dick Jr.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church or Hospice of South Texas.
To share a fond memory of words of comfort visit www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
