Father Emil C. Slovacek

The Slovacek family lived near “Old St. Joseph Church” in East Dallas. Emil attended St Joseph’s Academy on Swiss Avenue in Dallas for grammar and later high school. This school had been established and run by the Sisters of Divine Providence.

Following high school, Emil served in the US Army starting in early 1943. He received basic training at nearby Camp Walters in Mineral Wells, Texas. He was then assigned to the 739th Tank Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington, which was a separate formation used in the European theater of operations to support infantry, armored, or airborne divisions. Emil served as tank driver, gunner, and later, radio operator. He saw intense combat on the Rhine near Aachen, Germany. This troop movement was to be known later as the “Battle of the Bulge.” He survived heavy mortar fire, being protected accidentally by his fallen comrades after an explosion. Father Emil often wonderingly recounted how he survived that day.

In another incident his tank division had determined that they were caught in a minefield. His commander ordered him out of the tank saying: “Slovacek, you get out and guide us! You are single and we are married… just in case you set off a mine!” These war experiences had a profound impact on Emil, and with gratitude and faith, he let them shape the remainder of his life.

After being honorably discharged in November 1945, Emil pursued a vocation as a Catholic priest. Entering St. John’s Seminary, in Little Rock, Arkansas in September 1946. Father Slovacek was ordained a priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dallas April 19, 1954.

Father Slovacek’s first assignment was as an assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral in Fort Worth. This was followed by other assistant pastor assignments around north Texas at St. Andrew’s Church, Fort Worth; St. John’s Church, Ennis; and St. Paul’s Church, Fort Worth. Father Slovacek’s first pastorate was of St. Rita’s Church, Ranger, Texas with the missions of Eastland and Cisco in May 1965. He was also pastor of St. Thomas Church, Pilot Point; St. Mary’s Church, Sherman; St. John’s Church, Ennis’ and St. Patrick’s Church, Denison, where he was the pastor until his retirement in 1994. He also assisted in retirement at St. Michael Church in McKinney for many years.

Father Slovacek appreciated classical music, enjoyed some traveling to Europe as priest, and often reminisced about his experiences both in the military and in ministry. He could be an entertaining story teller and very humorous. Upon his retirement, he returned to Dallas, where he cared for his ailing sister Helen Slovacek who suffered from the debilitating affects of polio.

Father Emil is preceded in death by his father, Jerry J. Slovacek, his mother, Albina (Janosec) Slovacek, his brother Jerry W. Slovacek and his sister Helen H. Slovacek. Father Emil was 96 years old. He passed away on February 8, 2021 in Plano, Texas.

A special thanks is extended to his caretakers at North Texas Personal Care Homes, as well as Harris Hospice. Also, earlier to the Assisted Concepts staff in Plano, and as well to the volunteers from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish in Plano, Texas, and to the many other friends who attended to his needs.