Johnnie R. Krizan

Johnnie R. Krizan, age 66, of West, passed away early Thursday morning, July 24, 2014 due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near West. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the West Brethren Church, with Rev. Curtis Holland officiating. Burial will follow at West Brethren Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Johnnie was born November 17, 1947 in Waco, the son of the late Ruth (Mechell) and John Rudolph Krizan Sr. He attended school in West and was a 1966 graduate of West High School. He then received his Bachelor's Degree in Business from Baylor University. After graduation, Johnnie worked at Young Brothers Construction and various accounting firms before working independently at home providing accounting services. He was employed by the United States Postal Service in Waco where he had various positions over the past 35 years. He also managed the family farm and many rental properties. Johnnie was a member of the West Brethren Church. He was also a member of the SPJST Lodge 6 in Cottonwood, where he served as a past president, managed the hall and supervised numerous Lodge events, such as the Westfest Booth and the annual Lodge picnic. He was a sales representative for SPJST Lodge 6 Cottonwood for over 40 years and served as the Supreme Lodge District III Director since 1995. As a District III Director, he represented SPJST in many ways by attending Lodge functions and meetings throughout the District and State. Johnnie was recognized and honored numerous times for his sales achievements and today is responsible for multiple generations of families being members of SPJST. He participated in many community services, including giving presentations at events and serving as election judge. Johnnie enjoyed collecting historical artifacts and documents and was an avid Texas Rangers fan and Baylor Bear supporter. He was also a member of the Baylor Alumni Association and RVOS Local No. 46. Johnnie dearly loved spending time with his family, serving as an SPJST Director and attending SPJST functions. The last few years he devoted much of his time caring for his mother in her later years. Johnnie was a generous, simplistic and intelligent man with a kind heart and good business sense. He had a positive outlook on life and was always willing to help others. Survivors include a sister, Jeanette Beseda and husband Gary of West; a nephew, Matthew Beseda and wife Melissa; a niece, Leslie Beseda and husband Stephen Nors; great nephew and niece, Lucas Beseda and Avery Nors; and many other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Jody Krizan Jr., Danny Pavlas, Fred Mechell, Al "Butch" Dvoracek, Tony Pustejovsky, Michael Marek, Harry Svacek and Frank Andrle. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Krizan, Sr., Jerome Polansky, Paul Polansky, Joe Perez, Henry & Lou Blahuta, SPJST Lodge 6 officers and SPJST Supreme Lodge officers and Directors. Memorials may be made to the SPJST Czech Heritage Museum in Temple or SPJST Lodge #6 in Cottonwood.