Niko Vranac

Services for Niko Vranac, 64, of Pollok, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Pollok Baptist Church, with Bro. Keith Bickley officiating. Interment will follow in the Pollok Cemetery.

Niko passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. He is survived by his sister, Helena Lipscomb and husband Joe; brother, Miro Vranac, Jr. and wife Beverly; nephews, Blake Lipscomb and wife Mary, John Vranac, Todd Vranac and wife Grace; nieces, Ashley Verhagen and husband Thomas and Kate Vranac; great-nephews, Anders Verhagen and Jody Lipscomb; and great-niece, Carolina Verhagen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gwen and Miro Vranac.

Niko was born on July 3, 1950 in Galveston, Texas. He loved all water sports including water-skiing, sailing and swimming. Some of his most favorite memories were the many summer backyard ski parties and barbeques with family, cousins and friends. While there he was employed by International Ship Supply Company for a number of years.

In 1971, Niko moved to Pollok, Texas where he operated the family cattle ranch with his father. He also had a garden and sold fresh produce to local grocery stores. An avid high school football fan, this is the year the Lufkin Panthers became “his team” and his passion. He attended every home game and many away games for 38 years and this gave him significant joy in life. Niko worked for Woody’s Toys for over 10 years and operated his own lawn mowing business. He was an active member of the Pollok Baptist Church and enjoyed participating and helping in many functions there. Niko was a caregiver to his parents when they became older and because of this, it allowed them to live in their home as long as they did. In 2009 he moved to the Forth Worth area to be closer to his family.

Niko was an extremely friendly person who liked and enjoyed being with people. He touched and shaped many people’s lives in unfathomable ways without trying. On the surface, his life may have seemed simple and unassuming; to those who were fortunate enough to have known him and loved him, it was not, because they knew how lucky they were to have had him in their lives. Niko always made a clearer picture of what was really important in life. He will be missed.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.