Johnny F. Gavlick was born in Karnes County, Texas on a farm by Falls City on September 14, 1925, to Stanik and Regina Waclawczyk Gavlick. This area was the first Polish community in the United States, and he always referred to his birthplace as the Polish Industrial Quadrangle (Panna Maria, Cestahowa, Falls City, and Kosciusko). He died in San Antonio, Texas on July 4, 2014. He was a combat veteran in the U. S. Naval Amphibious Forces during World War II, serving in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1945. He was involved in landing Marines on the Gilbert Islands (Tarawa) and the Marshall Islands (Eniwetok), as well as other combat beach landings during the military invasions. He was recalled as an Officer in the U. S. Army in combat during the Korean conflict, and served with the 7th Infantry Division, as a Forward Observer for the 48th Field Artillery Battalion, with battle duty in the Punch Bowl, the Kumwah Valley, and along the 38th parallel.
A 1950 graduate of St. Mary’s University with a BBA degree, Mr. Gavlick was instrumental, along with 8 other alumni, in forming the St. Mary’s Athletic Booster Club, and was a lifetime supporter of the University and the opportunities presented to him through this Marianist education. Mr. Gavlick was employed by the Texas Employment Commission for 35 years (four of which he was on loan to the Department of Labor).
Mr. Gavlick was pre-deceased by his first wife, Estelle Preusser Gavlick, to whom he was married 27 ½ years and with whom he had five children. Survivors include his second wife, Margaret (Peggy) Carr Gavlick, who he married in 1983; and his five children and their spouses: Gary T. and Diane Linimon Gavlick; Ronald M. Gavlick; Robert J. Gavlick; Daniel K. and Roxanne Gavlick; and daughter, Nancy Gavlick Stehouwer and husband, Eric Stehouwer. He is also survived by four step-children and their spouses: Kevin and Jo Carol Haynes; Stacy Haynes Ghedi; Sean and Margaret Haynes; and Suzanne and Donnie Heil. He and Peggy were jointly blessed with 25 grandchildren: Brian and Jill Gavlick; Cole and Jaycee Gavlick; Emily, Nicholas, Jonathan and Dylan Gavlick; Allison and Zachary Gavlick; and Robert John and Austin Mathew Stehouwer – AND Lindsey Haynes Brunk (Quinn) and Paige Haynes; Ashley Ghedi LeVrier (Justin), Meaghan, Sara and Sean Ghedi; Douglas Heil (Amanda Rolando) and Ryan Heil (Yuvia); and Chelsea, Jacob, Samuel, Nathan and Luke Haynes, and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. Gavlick is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Emil and Luren Gavlick; numerous nieces and nephews, and a massive extended family and friends.
John was known for his incredible total commitment to truth, honor and patriotism; his enduring respect for women; his deep commitment to his faith, his sense of humor, his “Texas witticisms”; his patience, love and understanding of what it took to be a good and honorable man-husband-father and grandfather; and his life’s mission to pass this sense of honor on to his children, step-children, and grandchildren.
Visitation and Rosary will be at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, San Antonio, on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 – with visitation at 6:00 P.M. and the Rosary to be celebrated at 7:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Helotes, Texas, on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 12:00 Noon, with burial at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made In Memoriam to the Athletic Department of St. Mary’s University, Johnny Gavlick Scholarship – Attn: Athletic Department; One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, Texas 78228; The Ronald McDonald House, 4803 Sid Katz, San Antonio, Texas 78229; or to the charity of your choice.
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