Edward A. Pavelka

Edward is survived by son Randy L. Pavelka of Frisco, daughter C. Sue Pavelka MD of Frisco, son Neil E. Pavelka and granddaughter Hailey E. Pavelka of Frisco; brother Albin Pavelka, and sisters Irene Havelka, Gladys Mayne, and Evelyn DeAtley.

He is preceded in death by beloved wife Doris Elaine Lumpkin Pavelka, brothers Joseph Pavelka, Eugene Pavelka and sister Dorothy Petru.

Edward was born at home on February 16, 1934 to Joe and Henrietta Kucera Pavelka in West, Texas. Thought to be a fragile baby, he was immediately taken by his godparents via horse and buggy to the parish priest for baptism, where his godparents gave him the middle name of “Adolph”.

Edward graduated from Tuloso-Midway High School in 1953, then enlisted in the Army. He served his active duty during the Korean Conflict at Fort Sill, Oklahoma as crew chief in an armored vehicle equipped with a 105 MM Howitzer, training forward observers.

Edward married fellow Tuloso-Midway classmate Elaine Lumpkin in St. Anthony Catholic Church in Violet, Texas on August 27, 1955.

After military service he was employed at Suntide Refinery, now known as Koch Flint HIlls Refining, becoming Supervisor of the Instrument Department. In 1960 Edward and Elaine bought a farm in west Nueces County and moved to the Leona-Schroeder community. Edward at different times farmed sorghum, cotton, corn, flax, and sunflowers. In 1968 Edward’s farm produced Nueces County’s first bale of cotton; the ground being wet, all the cotton was hand picked.

Edward loved sports, and coached little league at Agua Dulce. Many times Edward and Elaine would transport the entire team to away games; he driving his volkswagen bug and she driving her station wagon. Edward was also the time keeper at football games; first at Agua Dulce ISD, then at Banquete ISD.

Edward retired from Koch after 39 years in 1994, but continued farming. He and Elaine also increased vacation time pulling their 5th wheel with the “Coastal Bend Land Sailors” travel group to destinations across the USA.

In 1998 they moved from the farm to Live Oak County, just outside of George West, Texas. Here they spent a year renovating the Pugh Ranch homestead, built in 1867. They enjoyed ten years on the “Ranch”, then moved to Frisco to be near their children and granddaughter Hailey.

Edward was always energetic, and frequently impatient; if you weren’t early, you were late in his books. He was fiercely independent, yet as he aged he demonstrated that he was an incredibly adaptable person who faced each new physical challenge with acceptance, remarkable determination, and optimism. He always had plans and kept his goals in focus, even until the end.

Edward’s family invites friends and kin to Memory Gardens Funeral Home located at 8200 Old Brownsville Road in Corpus Christi, Texas where visitation will be held Wednesday, December 29th at 8:30 AM until 10:30 AM, immediately followed by his funeral service. Burial will be at 2 PM at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Pavelka family.