Raymond J. Marek, Sr.

Raymond J. Marek, Sr., age 87, of West, passed away Thursday evening, December 25, 2008 at West Rest Haven. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 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 near West. Mr. Marek was born on August 15, 1921 in West, the son of John Marek, Jr. and Antonio (Smajstrla) Marek. He attended school in West and Cottonwood and graduated from West High School in 1939. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and on June 29, 1948, he was united in marriage to Mary Gerik in West. Raymond worked as an engineer for Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio for 28 years, where he was an investigator for failed aircraft engines before his retirement in 1982. He was a member of S.P.J.S.T. Lodge #6 in Cottonwood, the R.V.O.S. Lodge #46 where he served as president, an associate director of Westfest, and a charter member of West V.F.W. Post #4819. He was a former Scout Master in San Antonio and was instrumental in organizing the Boy Scouts of America Troop #494 in West. Raymond also designed the St. Mary's Cemetery directory and served on the cemetery board. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. He is preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Mary Anne Marek who died on December 1, 1997. Survivors include his beloved wife Mary L. Marek of West; his son, Raymond J. Marek, Jr. and wife Delta Lynn of Spring; two granddaughters, Kimberly Thompson and Somer Couzens; five great-grandchildren, John and Hailey Lark, and Billy, Ethan, and Brandon Couzens; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Pallbearers are Ronnie Sykora, Don Urbanovsky, Bennie Worley II, Dennis Gloeckner, Matthew Gloeckner, Adam Gloeckner, Colin Urbanovsky, and Kevin Urbanovsky. Memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America Troop #494, Vista Care Hospice, or the charity of your choice.