Erwin James Haas

Erwin James “EJ” Haas passed away on January 23, 2019. EJ was born in Weimar, Texas in 1935, to Agnes (Bednarz) and Joe F Haas. He attended elementary and middle school at St. Rose Catholic School in Schulenburg and graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1954, whereby he played multiple sports, was senior class president, and worked on the class newspaper. He was drafted into the Army in 1959 where he was stationed in Schweinfurt Germany and earned a place on the rifle team. After military service, he was hired by the US Postal Service and had a 35-year career as letter carrier, supervisor, and assistant general manager. Before he retired from the USPS, he acquired cattle ranching know-how from his father-in-law. After retirement, EJ and Joyce raised cattle and ranched for 19 years, pushing up to 100 head. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4550 in Houston.

He will be remembered by his wife of 57 years, Joyce Berger Haas, and their children Steve Haas of Katy (and wife Sue) and Andy Haas of Georgetown (wife Sheryl), and grandchildren Steven Jr (fiancé Erica), Drew, Jordan, and Kelly. He is also survived by his sisters, Elsie Farek and Mabel Mazoch, and numerous nieces and nephews.

EJ was a devout Catholic, husband, and father. Raised by a sharecropper, he learned values of hard work, being frugal, and independent thinking through research. Passionate of doing right, he often would take self-less acts of service and responsibility by volunteering to many causes throughout his life. He was a big supporter of his kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews’ sports/events by attending games and recitals. With Joyce, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, ranching, dancing, and traveling. He enjoyed a modest life of reward with beer and bourbon and game of dominos with friends and family. He will be greatly missed.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to either St. Pius X High School (Houston) or St. Michael Catholic School (Weimar).