Jodie G. Hoyak

On Monday, September 4, 2023, Jodie George Hoyak, 80 years old, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born in Port Arthur, TX on July 26, 1943 in the middle of a hurricane. He moved to Bryan with his parents when he was six months old. He grew up in Bryan. He attended Bryan schools. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1961. He went on to attend Texas A&M University and was a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Football Team. He graduated Texas A&M University in 1966 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Management. During his time at Texas A&M University, he worked for Memorial Funeral Chapel alongside his boss and friend Bill Zieren. It was after graduation that he attended The Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science where he would find his calling and career.

He married the love of his life, Elaine Lucas on July 17, 1965. They were equal partners and supported each other for 58 years. On August 26, 1968 the second love of his life came into his world. His daughter Cynthia Danette Hoyak was born. He was a loving father, rock of faith and role model for her.

For 53 years, Jodie served his community and their families working as a Funeral Director at Memorial Funeral Chapel in both Bryan and College Station. During this time, he forged strong bonds with numerous clergy and first responders. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He had a true servant’s heart. He was a mentor to many.

He played an active role in the betterment of his beloved cities by serving in the Jaycees, acting as President and member of the Bryan Breakfast Lions Club, and as Chairman of the Board for the Better Business Bureau of Bryan/College Station.

On April 13, 2001, “Pops” as he was affectionately called welcomed his first grandson Ethan W. Wicht. Fifteen months later on June 13, 2002 he welcomed his second grandson Hayden M. Wicht. His grandsons were the lights of his life! Oh, how he loved his boys! He was their father figure, and was there for them from the time they were born. He took them to school almost every day. One of the fondest memories Ethan and Hayden have is when he took them to Johnson Elementary and they would blast Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” on the radio. Especially when the boys would secretly turn down the volume and then blare it right about the time the horns would blow. Other times, he would take his boys to watch and catch the trains in downtown Bryan. He loved watching his boys play football for the Vikings at Bryan High and was at all of their games. Even their friends knew him as “Pops”.

One of Jodie’s passions was his love of nature and the mountains which he passed on to his family. The State of Colorado was his favorite vacation spot. He loved the small town of Lake City and would spend every summer there with his wife, daughter, and his “bonus” daughter Tracey Martin, Cindy’s Best Friend. Once he discovered snow skiing, they would spend Spring Breaks on the slopes! He loved coming down the hill and taking the more challenging runs. His daughter would call him “Alberto Tomba” after the Italian Alpine skier from the 1988 Olympics. Some of his favorite ski spots were Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, and Keystone. On one of their ski trips, Jodie and Cindy were caught on the lift as a blizzard blew across the mountains. The snow was so heavy you couldn’t see anything around and the wind was so strong it blew the chair lift sideways. It was a frightful time for both and as soon as the lift got moving again and when it reached the top, they ditched their skis and poles and ran into the warming hut to get hot chocolate and wait out the storm until they could ski back down.

His love and joy for the Colorado Rockies extended to his grandsons and Jodie’s entire family would spend summers, and a few winters, in Colorado visiting places such as Lake City, Durango and Silverton, Estes Park, and Gunnison.

Jodie was a strong man of faith and was an active member of his church. For 20 years, he was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bryan. He worked with the Youth Group and served as a Youth Coordinator. He headed up the Concession Stand sales at the Aggie Football games so the youth could make money to offset costs for youth trips. He also organized Spaghetti Suppers and any other activities to help support the youth. Later on, Jodie moved to Central Baptist Bryan where he continued his service to the youth as a youth coordinator.

Jodie George “Pops” Hoyak was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. HE was the epitome of hard-work, integrity, honesty, compassion, sacrifice, provider, and unconditional love. His family never wanted for anything. But most of all, Jodie’s family knew they were loved and supported.

He is preceded in death by his father, Jodie William Hoyak and his mother, Anna “Steffie” Hoyak. His father-in-law, William Everett Lucas, and mother-in-law, Mary Lucas Arnold.

He is survived by his wife Elaine Lucas Hoyak; daughter, Cynthia, “Cindy” Hoyak Wicht; his grandsons, Ethan W. Wicht and Hayden M. Wicht; his brother-in-law, William Randolph, “Randy” Lucas and Paula Early; his niece, Kristine Elander and her husband Robert and their four children Shannon, Josh, Lauren, and Chase and their families.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Interment will follow at College Station Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Friday at the funeral home.