Bernard “Benny” Leonard Dworaczyk, 86, left this world on November 23rd, 2023 to a Thanksgiving in heaven. His life and the day of his death continue to remind us of the value of family and gratitude for a life well lived. Benny was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who loved taking in the outdoors, rodeoing, seeing the world and above all else, spending time with his family.
Benny was born February 13th, 1937 in Long Mott, Texas to the late Bernard Joseph Dworaczyk and Veronica Pawlik Dworaczyk. He was one of ten children and grew up farming.
He served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959 as a Morse code interceptor operator and was stationed in Asmara, Ethiopia. Benny married the love of his life, Jimmie Joyce on January 3rd, 1978 combining their families and launching decades of traveling to rodeos and competing in the arena as a family. Benny loved practicing for rodeos with his children and hauling them all over south Texas to compete. He was president of the CCYRA and TYRA and served on the board of directors for both associations.
Benny worked for 38 years at Union Carbide as a shift supervisor and supported many building sites and start ups in Taft, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Kuwait and Malaysia. Outside of work, Benny enjoyed feeding his cattle, hauling hay for his brother James Dworaczyk in his signature truck, ‘Howard’ and working on the farm with his son-in-law, Joseph Nunley. He loved hunting trips with his son, Wayne Dworaczyk. A few favorites included hunting Elk in Qgden and Antelope in South Africa. He also loved working on the hunting ranch and on off-road vehicles with his son, “Fat Boy” Brent.
His respite was the hunting property in Edward’s county where he and Jimmie spent a lot of time without phones or TVs, taking in nature. He also enjoyed relaxing at the house on the Frio river and many family memories were made on the front porch or the river. Benny and Jimmie enjoyed pulling the RV to numerous states and camping to take in the beautiful countryside. They enjoyed many cruises with the family and seeing the world from the water.
Benny’s grandkids who all called him “Papa” remember his signature humming, which he did constantly while working. Occasionally he would break his humming with a loud “bonk” noise that would scare anyone nearby and give him a good laugh. He had a memorable sense of humor and a contagious laugh.
Benny was preceded in death by his parents, brother James Dworaczyk, sisters Bernadine Alexander, Charlotte Sartor and his son Brent Alston Dworaczyk.
He is survived by his wife, Jimmie Joyce Dworaczyk, brothers Archie Dworaczyk (Pat), John “Frankie” Dworaczyk (Jane), Marty Dworaczyk (Brenda), sisters Helen Thomas, Veronica Henderson and Barbara Vivian (Tom).
He is also survived by six children, their spouses, eleven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The children include his sons Wayne Bernard Dworaczyk (Deborah) and James Randal Dworaczyk (Sonya) and daughters Lisa Gail Dworaczyk, Candace Nunley (Joseph), Dawn Bubenik (Michael) and Darlyn Rieger (Brian).
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 from 5-7pm at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 29th at 10am at the First Baptist Church, 305 W Houston Ave in Seadrift with Pastor Aaron Corporon officiating. Pallbearers include: Layton Dworaczyk (Grandson), Hunter Nunley (Grandson), Seth Bubenik (Grandson), Joseph Nunley (Son-in-Law), Michael Bubenik (Son-in-Law), Brian Rieger (Son-in-Law), Darin Leopold (Grandson-in-law) and Daniel Stolte (Grandson-in-law). Honorary Pallbearers include: Dr. Joseph Jenkins, Dr. John Wright and his guardian angel, Rosemary, who works at Bethany.
The family of Benny Dworaczyk would like to thank the entire staff at Bethany and the nurses and aides of Harbor Hospice along with their chaplain, David Holford for their love, support and excellent care. A very special and loving thank you to his angel, Rosemary!
Memorial donations can be made to: First Baptist Church of Seadrift or Harbor Hospice.
