He was raised and grew up on his parents’ farm, and attended Leggott Elementary and West High School. On Saturdays he went to Catechism school in St. Joseph Hall, later to St. Mary’s Catholic Church School for his first communion and for his confirmation. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1945. Completed infantry basic training at (then) Camp Hood, Texas. Volunteered to be a paratrooper. Completed paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Awarded and received his parachutist wings. Later he took glider training, became a qualified glider, and was awarded and received his glider wings.
Clement served in the South Pacific Theater of operations in the 11th Airborne Division in World War II. During the Korean Conflict, he went to Korea with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Later served in the 101th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he made his 118th and last parachute jump. While there he was an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America and coached a little league football team. He was sent to Viet Nam, served in the United States Army Headquarters Area Command. Returned to the United States and was assigned to, and served in the United States Army Helicopter School/Center at Fort Wolters, Texas. During the span of his 30 years of military service, Clement served in several other army units.
On 3 November 1950, Clement met the love of his life and was united in marriage to Mildred Pearl Smiley in Tennessee. He and his wife had two sons; Clement Joseph and Marvin Edward Cervenka. He had one granddaughter, Jenna Villegas; and one great-grandson Thomas.
He retired from the United States Army on 31 July 1975 with the rank Sergeant Major with 30 years of honorable service to our country. During his military service in World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, and in the United States, Clement was awarded and received many decorations, citations, awards, badges, and commendations, including the third highest award, the Bronze Star of Valor.
After retirement he and his wife bought their present home in Burleson. When St. Ann parish was in its infancy, Clement was the 181st member of St. Ann Church. He loved to be with his wife, sons, grand daughter Jenna, and great-grandson Thomas. He loved to hunt and fish, play dominoes and cards at senior citizens centers.
Clement was a lifetime member of the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6872, The Czech Heritage Society and AARP.
Clement Ermin Cervenka, age 94, of Burleson, Texas passed away on Saturday, October 23, 2021.
PRECEDED IN DEATH: By his parents, wife Mildred Cervenka, brother Wilfred Joe Cervenka, sisters Henrietta Cervenka, Willa Mae Cervenka and Eugenia (Jean) Surley, and Geraldine Davison; and niece Sharon Ann Cervenka.
SURVIVORS: Sons; Clement Joseph of Burleson, Marvin Edward of Fort Worth, sisters; Evelyn Ghelfi of Astoria, New York, granddaughter Jenna Villegas and great-grandson Thomas of Fort Worth, Texas; sister-in-law Willie Mae (Mynar) Cervenka of West, Texas; several nephews, nieces, great and great-great nephews and nieces.
