Gregory Paul Karlik

Gregory Paul Karlik, age 52, of Waxahachie, formerly of West, passed away early Sunday morning, June 21, 2009 at his residence. A rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West by Rev. Michael Guadagnoli. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Greg was born October 4, 1956 in Waco, the son of Albin and Ida (Matustik) Karlik. He attended St. Mary's School and graduated from West High School in 1975. While in High school he was in the National Honor Society and a member of the Trojan Sweepstakes Marching Band. Greg then attended Texas A&M University where he graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1979. He then received a Masters in Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas in Arlington in 2005. He is a member of Pi Tau Sigma (a mechanical engineering fraternity), Tau Beta Pi, and the Knights of Columbus in Corsicana. He recently celebrated his 30th anniversary as an engineer for Luminant (formerly Texas Energy Company). On October 30, 1982 he was united in marriage to Mary Frances Bird in Waco. Greg was a faithful member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waxahachie, where he also participated in the Men's Club. Survivors include his beloved wife of 26 years, Mary Karlik of Waxahachie; two daughters, Kate Bazin and husband Peter of Houston and Amanda Karlik of Waxahachie; a brother, Carlton Karlik and wife Mary Frances of Plano; two sisters, Jean Karlik of Frisco and Elizabeth Tubbs and husband Tommy of Bluff Dale; his father-in-law, Donald Bird and wife Amelia of Plano; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Larry Hykel, Dr. Larry Sparks, Ric Federwisch, Peter Bazin, Jeff Karlik, Jonathan Janek, David Matustik, and Mike Matustik. Honorary pallbearers are Dale Higginbotham, Alvin Goodman, Wayne Bartos, Rick Hoelscher, Scott Dierman, "Mo" Machovsky, Donald Cernosek, Tommy Muska, and the West High Class of 1975. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund in Waxahachie.