Joe Motl

Joe Lee Motl, age 90, of Austin, Texas, departed his loving family to join his beautiful wife in Heaven on April, 21, 2022. He was born in Temple, Texas on April 27, 1931 to Frank and Amalie Motl. He lived his childhood and teenage years on a rural farm in the Seaton community just outside Temple, Texas.

Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1951 at the age of 19. He served in San Diego, California and Norfolk, Virginia. He also served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and in the Korean Conflict aboard the U.S.S. Black DD666 as a Boilerman Petty Officer Second Class. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal with two stars, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Joe traveled the world, serving in Haiti, The Panama Canal, Hawaii, Midway Island, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ceylon, Arabia, The Suez Canal, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. He was honorably discharged in January 1955.

He married the love of his life, Geroma “Jean” Motl, March 9, 1956. They were married for almost 66 years. He lost his wife exactly two months ago to the day. He adored his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking active interest in every aspect of each of their lives with more love than they ever could have asked for.

Joe retired from The Singer Company, having worked as Sales Representative and Store Manager for over 30 years, and was self-employed for over 30 more years with a successful sewing machine repair business up until two months ago when he retired at age 90.

Joe was an active member of SPJST Lodge 155 in Austin, Texas, serving as President for many years. He recently received his 75 year membership pin. He was proud to honor his Czech heritage, continuing to speak fluent Czech with older friends and relatives.

He loved his farm in Liberty Hill, Texas, gardening and raising several breeds of cattle through the years. He was an active member of the Lanier FFA Booster Club for several years, supporting his two daughters and all the FFA members with their animal projects at the Austin Livestock Show. Joe was an avid deer hunter and fisherman who always enjoyed the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Amalie Motl, his brothers Frank Jr. and Raymond Motl and his wife, Jean Motl. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Mays of Rockport, Texas, his daughters MaryBeth DeLeon and husband Mike of Marble Falls, Texas, and JoAnn Brack and husband Alan of Pflugerville, Texas. He was “Papaw” to all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His four grandchildren are: Ashley Tullos and husband Kyle of Bertram, Texas, Benjamin Dodd of Hutto, Texas, Amy Eskew and husband Robert of Hutto, Texas, and Travis Brack and wife Hillary of San Antonio, Texas. His great-grandchildren are: Kylie Tullos and husband Lance, Benjamin Dodd Jr, Bethany Dodd, Nathan Tullos, Joy Eskew, Dean Eskew and Eleanor Brack.

A visitation for Joe will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in Pflugerville, Texas 78660. Following will be a committal at Cook-Walden/Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Motl family.