Joe John Vrana

A visitation will take place on Friday, June 17, 2022 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple TX with the Rosary starting at 7pm. A Mass will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 10:00am at St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Granger, TX followed by the burial at Old Calvary Cemetery in Granger, TX. Serving as pallbearers will be Remington Lutz, Branden Seidel, Matthew Vrana, Paul Sherek, Patrick Sherek and Joshua Sherek.

Joe was born on March 24, 1938 in Littlefield, Texas to Stanley and Wilma Vrana. At the age of 16, his parents moved their family to Granger, Texas, where he attended St. Cyril & Methodius School. He went to work for Dude Wright, where he did custom combining. Eventually, he went to work on a ship on the Grand Island in the Louisiana Bay. In 1962, Joe enlisted in the United States Army. Joe was released from his duties in 1964, where he then received an Honorable Discharge in 1968. Joe started a career at Wilson Art Plastic on August 13, 1964, where he worked for 29 years as a carpenter and ended his career in the maintenance department as a welder.

Joe married Betty Sherek of Taylor on October 15, 1966, and moved to Rogers, Texas. Joe had 2 children, Tammy (Vrana) Lutz and Tim Vrana. He also had 3 grandchildren that he adored tremendously; Remington Lutz, Trinity Lutz and Aleksee Lutz and his son-in-law, David Lutz. One of Joe’s favorite dishes was his son-in-law’s Shrimp Etouffee.

Joe retired from Wilson Art on April 2, 1993 which allowed him to do what he desired the most - custom hay baling. Joe enjoyed dancing and listening to Czech bands like Joe Patek, Mejaks, Vrazels and the Dukat Brothers. One of his favorite pastimes was deer hunting. He received great pleasure out of mounting his deer heads as trophies. It wasn’t uncommon to see him working on tractors, trying to improve them in any way he could. One of his greatest talents was being able to take a piece of steel and turning it into a masterpiece. Joe would get excited taking his granddaughters for rides on his tractors and was passionate about hunting and fishing with his grandson. Joe never turned down a Wild Turkey drink; however, his favorite beverage was coffee. He never missed an opportunity to be at the coffee shop with his friends. Even when he was no longer able to drive, his wife or friends drove him to have coffee at the city café’.

Joe was active in the church. He served as an usher for many years at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Temple, TX and in several different capacities at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Rogers. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus (Council #12931). He was instrumental with the foundation and growth of St. Matthews - serving the Lord by volunteering countless hours with upkeep, church maintenance, serving on the financial counsel, usher, and fund-raising activities.

He is survived by his wife Betty Vrana of Rogers TX, daughter Tammy Lutz and husband David of Temple TX, son Tim Vrana of Rogers TX, grandchildren, Remington Lutz residing in Carbondale Illinois, Trinity and Aleksee Lutz of Temple TX. Brothers, Willie Vrana of Taylor TX, Johnny Vrana of Granger TX and Sister Marcella Neal of Bastrop TX.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Wilma Vrana; his brothers, Frank Vrana, Stanley Vrana and Rudy Vrana; his sisters, Mary Hendrix (his twin sister) and Martha Stefek.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for cash donations to St. Matthews Catholic Church in Rogers, TX or canned food donations to help feed the hungry. A box will be located at the front of the funeral home as well as at the entrance of the church.