Joe Holy, Jr.

Joe Holy Jr., age 90, of West, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, February 5, 2015. A rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Ed Karasek and Rev. Paul Hudson as celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Joe was born August 24, 1924 in West, the son of Joe L. Holy, Sr. and Lillian (Smajstrla) Holy. He graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in West and served his country with the United States Army during World War II. After his military duty was complete, he attended Four-C Business College in Waco. He was the manager of the Tractor Supply Co. in Waco for several years. Thereafter, he began his lifelong entrepreneurship that lead him to success in farming, soil and water conservation, engineering, and real estate investment. From his parents he learned a strong work ethic which he passed along to his children. Joe's honors and achievements include three time winner - 1st Bale of Cotton in McLennan County; sponsorship of Juneteenth Black Baseball in Malone; holder of three U.S. Patents; collaborator with the Texas A&M Master of Agriculture program; volunteer and donor to St. Mary's Catholic Schools, Waco and West, and Reicher Catholic High School. On November 18, 1947 he was united in marriage to Lorene Betty Grones at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, Texas. Joe and Lorene were blessed with four children. Joe was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. He was also a member of the K.J.T. Society #31, SPJST Lodge #6 and a survivor of the 1953 Waco tornado. He enjoyed farming the land, designing and building agricultural equipment, and rebuilding magnetos of all makes. He loved spending time with his family, listening and dancing to Czech polkas and waltzes, and enjoying Lorene's cooking, a breakfast of jaternice and especially her kolaches. Joe was a true friend to all including many undocumented immigrants helping them to secure U.S. citizenship. Joe is preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Bob G. Terry; his twin brother, Raymond Holy; and sisters, Margaret Nemec and Wilma Kaluza. Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years, Lorene Holy of West; a son, Larry J. Holy (Cynthia) of Delano, MN; three daughters, Dorothy Terry of Woodway, Doris (Ron) Chmielewski of China Spring, and Mary Ann (William J., III) Kocurek of China Spring; brother, Charles Holy, Sr.; a sister, Martha Sinkule; seven grandchildren Noelle (Rider) Barnes, William J. (Laura) Kocurek, IV, Natalie A. Terry; Marilyn L. (Erik) Deuble, Gabriel E. Chmielewski, Allison N. Terry, and Joseph A. Holy; three great- grandchildren, William J. Kocurek V, Jiggs R. Barnes, Kyle A. Kocurek and great-granddaughter Barnes on the way; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Pallbearers are Larry J. Holy, Joseph Holy, Ronald Chmielewski, Gabriel Chmielewski, William J. Kocurek III, William J. Kocurek IV, Rider Barnes and Erik Deuble. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic School West Endowment Fund.