Kenneth W Zavadil Sr.

He is preceded in death by his parents Edwin Zavadil and Dorothy Marie Zavadil. His older brother Robert Lee “Pancho” Zavadil and his daughter Kassie Mae Zavadil.

He was born on August 2nd, 1953 in Del Rio, Texas to Edwin Zavadil and Dorothy Marie Halliburton while his father was serving in the United States Air Force.

Having lived in different parts of the country as a military family, they then settled in the Pasadena, Texas area where he and his brother attended local schools and later Pasadena High School where his father then worked as head custodian. It was also during his youth that Kenneth enjoyed being in the cub scouts and discovered a great talent for baseball where he loved to be a starting pitcher and according to his mama, “he helped the team to win many games”. While attending high school, Kenneth met his girlfriend and future wife Elaine Moren where they had a son Kenneth Jr in December 1971. Kenneth later joined the U.S. Army in 1972 during the Vietnam war and served stateside at Fort Polk for Basic Training and at Fort Hood as a Personnel Management Specialist until the end of his enlistment in 1975. Later Kenneth would consider various career opportunities before deciding to become a welder where he would work for the next 20 years in the local energy sector. During this time, Kenneth would give his life to Christ and serve in multiple ministries from a bus ministry to pick up kids for church and as a musician with the church praise and worship team. Kenneth also found a love for working on cars as a hobby, along with fishing, playing tennis, jogging, camping and riding motorcycles. Kenneth was also known as a friend and a nice guy to many and continued to develop relationships including choosing to remarry, embracing the love of an extended family with step-children Kari, Vicki and Gary while also having a daughter Kassie Mae born to his then wife Connie in Oct 1991. Then in Feb 1996 after his return to single life, Kenneth suffered a massive stroke that would change the remainder of his life living in assisted living centers in Pasadena and in New Caney. Although life took an unexpected turn, Kenneth was still able to visit a church from time to time, spend time with family, realize his legacy of grandchildren, and going out to eat, especially at his favorite restaurant Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen.

Kenneth is survived by his son Kenneth “Ken” Zavadil, Jr. and wife Connie of Center, Texas, Grandson Greg Utley of Franklin, Tennessee, Grandson Josef Edwin Zavadil of Center and Granddaughter Lauren Kenley Zavadil of Center.

A viewing is scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd from 5-8pm in Pasadena, Texas at the Pasadena Funeral Chapel. Kenneth’s funeral will be Friday, January 23rd at 11am also at the Pasadena Funeral Chapel. He will be laid to rest with his parents and brother on Friday, January 23rd at Forest Park East Cemetery at 12:30pm with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any gospel ministry in his honor that the Holy Spirit lays upon your heart. Or if you really want to honor God, use your gifts and talents to lift others up, dedicate yourself to a calling of ministry and help spread the gospel to all who may hear.