Passed July 25, 2021
95 years old
NJ was called home on Sunday morning July 25, 2021, from Seguin, Texas. Born on April 24, 1926 in Stoneham, Texas. Married for 70 years to his wife Kathryn Alston Demny. Preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Demny Stephens, brothers Rufus, Edward, and Bill. Sisters Christine, and Bernice.
Survived by his sister Regina Betts and his two sons Chuck Demny, Stephen Demny and wife Pam. Four grandchildren Rachel Demny Macha and husband Matt, Leslie Demny, Shelby Stephens Tharp and husband Dustin, and Zak Stephens and wife Adrianne and two great grandchildren Amelia and Walker Stephens.
NJ served in the US Army during WWII from Feb. 1945 to Nov. 1946. He completed boot camp at Camp Hood and was then transferred to Seattle, WA. Most of his time was served in Guam. He was half-way to Tokyo, when Japan surrendered, ending the war.
NJ was born on a cotton farm, his father and mother, Joseph and Pearl Wiechkoske Demny, were share croppers moving about Dobbin, Montgomery, Stoneham, and Anderson hand picking one bail of cotton at a time. Three bails a year would support the Demny family for a year. Every time you would ask NJ how he was doing, his reply was “Fair-to-middling” meaning slightly above average bail of cotton. He attended grade school in Montgomery, Texas. His brother, Rufus, the oldest, would drive the school bus for his brothers and sisters. At the age of 16, NJ, moved to Houston for employment as a welder at the ship channel for 2 bits an hour. After his service in the Army, NJ owned and operated a floor company, with his brother Rufus, for many years.
He loved farming and ranching, and most weekends were spent working on his farm on Shepard Hill Road. In 1990 he and Kathryn moved from Houston to live permanently at the farm. Raising cattle, bailing hay, and mending fences. He enjoyed asking anyone to ride with him to the farm, he was a firm believer in free labor. He loved playing domino’s, 42 and 88, and most Sunday afternoons, you would see his truck at Squeaky’s. He knew what domino’s were in your hand and what you we’re going to play, before you did. He enjoyed going to the Navasota auction barn on Saturday and the Huntsville auction barn. He enjoyed riding in the San Jacinto trail ride each year with his two sons and celebrating San Jacinto day. He enjoyed riding with Father Norbert Maduzia from Navasota to Houston on the Sam Houston trail ride and parade through downtown Houston.
NJ was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Waverly for many years. He was an active, participating member of the Knights of Columbus, assisting with the Friday night fish fries, to help provide scholarship’s for local college bound students.
Father Norbert Maduzia will officiate funeral mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 10 am on Monday, August 2nd. Burial to immediately follow at Shepard Hill Cemetery with military honors. Visitation at 5 pm, with rosary at 6 pm, at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe on Sunday evening.
NJ was very humble and kind, and loved by all. Little did he ever complain.
