Fred Guadalupe Kowalski, was born on December 12, 1932, at Mercy Hospital, in Brownsville. He passed away at the age of 90, on June 29, 2023, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, family, and friends. He was a devout Catholic, devoted husband and father, and a veteran of the Korean War in the United States Army. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Irma V. Kowalski, his parents, Judge Fred Louis Kowalski, and Julia Escamilla Kowalski, and his sister, Miss Ana Pauline Kowalski. He is survived by his children: Judge Adela Kowalski-Garza (Attorney Noe D. Garza, Jr.) Attorney Fred A. Kowalski, Jorge R. Kowalski (Corina Kowalski) Ana Julieta Kowalski-Solis (Alejandro Solis) David Kowalski (Claudia Kowalski) and Daniel Kowalski (Veronica Kowalski.)
Fred's father, Judge Fred L. Kowalski, was a veteran of the United States Army, and a beloved justice of the peace in Brownsville for many years. Judge Kowalski was so loved that he was elected posthumously against 11 other candidates after his death.
An interesting fact about Fred's parents is that they were of different religion, race, culture and spoke different languages. Judge Kowalski, Fred's father, was Jewish, of Polish descent, and spoke English, but not Spanish. Fred's mother, was Catholic, was from Mexico, and spoke only Spanish. Judge Kowalski learned Spanish and converted to the Catholic faith. They remained married until Judge Kowalski's death. Fred said that of all the blessings he received during his life, he was most grateful for his faith in Jesus Christ, his marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Irma Villarreal, his children, and for having served his country in the United States Army.
Following in his footsteps of military service are his son, Attorney Fred A. Kowalski, a veteran of the Gulf War (Army) who presently serves as the public defender in Veteran's Court, his granddaughter, Priscilla Kowalski, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq (Army) his grandson, Edward Kowalski (Army) and Jorge and Michael Kowalski (United States Air Force.)
Fred was a certified federal court interpreter and practiced his profession until he was 82 years old.
Fred was very much loved and respected by those who knew him. On February 15, 2019, his wife, Irma, died after saying the following words shortly before her death: "I love Fred Kowalski. I love him! He gave me the happiness I had never had before."
The Kowalski family is grateful to God for the wonderful gift of having this sweet man as their father. He will be missed.
Visitation will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023 from 12pm-4:30pm at Funeraria del Angel BuenaVista, with the recitation of the Holy rosary at 5pm at our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic church. Visitation will be continued on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 8am-11:30am with a Funeral Mass at 12pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with interment and Military Honors to follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Fred Kowalski Scholarship Fund that will be awarded annually to a former Head Start student. Please make the donation payable to Advocacy of Ninos, P.O. Box 189, Rio Hondo, Texas 78583. Thank you!!!
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelbuenavista.com for the Kowalski family.
