Eugene "Henry" Slovak

His mischievous grin and the twinkle in his eye have now passed from this world. Eugene Henry Slovak, age 86, died peacefully, February 2, 2020 at his home in West, with his beloved wife, Martha Frances (Nors) Slovak, by his side. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Timothy Vaverek as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. Eugene was a jokester and a strict disciplinarian - all in the same person. He held his children to high standards, and was just as affectionate when he wrestled with his young children in the yard or around the house. He attended Waco Technical High School. While he did not graduate from high school, he earned his GED before going into the service; he proudly displayed the insignias on his truck of all the various colleges his many grandchildren attended, because he thought education was so important. He loved his wife and entreated his children to take care of her after he leaves this earth. He remembered seeing her for the first time at a dance in West, in her polka-dotted dress. He said he fell in love that night. They were married June 24, 1957. Eugene was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #479, SPJST Lodge #66, American Welding Society, West Kiwanis Club, Waco Wholesale Credit Association, West Hospital Authority Board, St. Mary’s PTO, founding member of Hilltop Water Supply, original shareholder of West Fraternal Auditorium and more. He served his country during the Korean War, working in the engine pool. Yes, he was a heck of a mechanic and he could fix anything. Duct tape and WD40 were his friends for his go-to temporary fix until he could figure out a solution. Then he would find a part - or build one - to get an old engine running. He has refurbished many old cars, and was baffled when he found one tiny screw left over. He never figured out where it went in his red rag-top 1964 Corvair. Eugene worked at Davis Iron Works for 30 years and was mentored by the owner Jack Davis, who saw something in Eugene in his youth. Eugene rose to become Vice President of the company and worked as a salesman, traveling all over the United States. When he left Davis Iron Works he went to McLennan Community College, to get his associates degree; he became a real estate agent and then a broker as he established Slovak Realty in West and worked in real estate for 20 years. He always questioned why someone in college to study real estate had to study Freud. He never figured out that question, but excelled in his classes anyway. Eugene will be joining his parents, Henry J. and Teresie Zofie (Dvorak) Slovak and his sister Margaret in Heaven, and is hoping that his foster child Bopeep Catalan jumps into his arms. He is also predeceased by his brother-in-law Laddie Nors, sister-in-law Bennie Marie Zajicek and her husband Walter, and brother-in law, John Gaines. He is survived by his wife Martha, children Bernard Slovak and wife Ruth of West, Cyndy Slovak-Barton and husband Jeff Barton of Buda, Martha "Cookie" Smith and husband Marty of West, Sandra Kettler and husband Rick of West, Dan Slovak and wife Kelly of Kyle, and Ronnie Slovak and wife Allison of New Braunfels. He is also survived by his sister, Doris Gaines of San Antonio and her daughter Kimberley Hoelscher and husband Mark of San Antonio, and his sister-in-law Mary Ann Walker of West, and his God-son Gene Louis Zajicek. Those grandsons serving as pallbearers include James Herring, Nick Slovak, Chris Schubnell, Zach Barton, Blake Kettler and Calvin Kettler. Honorary pallbearers are his other grandchildren, Kim Herring Myers, Marcus Slovak, Michael Holler, Caity Moore, Stephanie Moore, Bozena Barton, Joshua Smith, Tiffany Lowe, Noel Watson, Maddison Kettler, Sarah Slovak, and Ashley Slovak. He has a special place in his heart for his grand-cats Annie and Midnight. Eugene had 21 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, he asks that donations be made to St. Mary’s School Wish List, West Ambulance or the Salvation Army