I just learned of the passing of this wonderful man, today. How heartbreaking to lose such a soul full of light! He was a patient of my Dad for several years. We will see you again, my friend.

A friend since he took my drawing class at UH.  Wonderful and talented free soul. His death has touched me deeply.  
Richard Stout

I was so saddened to hear the terrible news. My heart goes out to my friend Wendy and to the rest of the family and friends. I know he will be missed.

It's hard to believe Jari is gone. He was a wonderful, funny, important presence in Life. And, of course, I still believe he's alive. We just can't see him.

My wife Mary and I had the pleasure of meeting Jari because our friendship with his daughter Wendy. I met Wendy through work and we became good friends. Somewhere along the way, Wendy and Mary and I would meet up for a pint, and on some of the more special occasions, she brought her dad. We got to know Jari through several engaging conversations that were laced with humor, incredible wit, and (of course) puns. We once saw Jari at the C and D Hardware store. He was gracious and ever engaging and witty.  Some of the characteristics that endear us to Wendy (besides her wit and puns) are her sparkling eyes and the wry, impish grin that she displays from time to time. We know where those traits originated. In the short while we knew Jari, his eyes and smile were part of the delight of his company. There is another twinkling star in the night sky.

For those of us that played golf with Jari, we will miss his sense of humor no mater how badly we played.

Video and film production is populated by a unique and interesting group of individuals that coalesce into a single purpose. More times than I can remember, you were the adult that got all those individuals to come together.  I always looked forward to a job when I heard you were the shooter. That smile, that laugh and that hat are not gone as long as my memory still works. I'll  miss you man.

Jari was our "oldest son".  My friend you will be sorely missed by Karen, Jake, Connor, and myself.  Big Bend will never be the same without you.  We have lost a large part of "Ponce Tours"  I am so happy to have shared part of my life with you.

Jari has been a friend for many years, continuing past my move from Houston 25 years ago. We shared the love of folk music and camping. He was an adventurer, alive in the outdoors, even doing Yellowstone in the winter, and more recently putting many miles on his bike. His spirit was larger than life, he had a heart of gold. He will be dearly missed.
Martha (Goldsmith) Pinto

I can still see that smile, I can still hear that laugh, and that sense of humor and wit will be hard to match.  Peace to all his friends and family.

Your presence will be missed at Thanksgiving camping this year Jari, and we are so very thankful to have shared time on this earth with you.

I knew Jari from the running community; his presence touched you immediately with his huge smile and friendly nature...a real neat guy that I will miss seeing on the trail. My sympathy to his family.

Mercedes Tarley, Houston

I knew him first as Jerry at the University of Houston in the mid 60's and even though he changed his name to JAROSLAV  he has always been Jerry to me and a dear friend: you know the kind you don't see for years but when you do, you both continue the last conversation you had years ago as though no time had passed. He always had that smile and infectious laugh that stayed with you even after he left the room! He loved life, he loved people no matter who you were or what you believed but most of all he loved the camera in his hands looking for that great next shot. He truly was one of the pioneers of the film industry in Houston and was well known for his talents throughout Texas. He never looked his age and definitely didn't act his age and I, like many, thought he would be around forever to continue  that last conversation. I will miss you Jerry JAROSLAV , Yari VODEHNAL  because you were one of the few that truly knew who you were and liked who you were no matter what anybody else said. You are the one that people will be telling stories about for years to come. May those memories be happy ones in which we can always remember your laugh! May God bless you . Thank you for your friendship!!

Saw him every other year or so on shoots since I first met him demo-ing his new Steadycam at a SMPTE meeting in 1986. I was a UH student there to learn but you never saw such a big grin as he hopped across his pattern of apple boxes with his rig. His fun was infectious and he inspired me. Around 1998 I laughed in recognition when his credit rolled on cable edu, an ancient doc with Ron Stone in corduroy walking among the fighting Texicans at San Jacinto. Shot on 16mm! He loved his art and always helped others with warmth and enthusiasm for who they were, it seemed. I'll miss him very much.

I always looked forward to working with Jari becauese I knew I was in store for endless rapier wit, puns and intelligent discourse. He always set the client and crew at ease and in good humor. Needless to say he leaves a great void in many peoples' lives.Steve Goyette eulogized Jari much more eloquently than I ever could, they always made a great team.

Had the pleasure many times to work with Jari.  My prayers to his family during this time of loss.

I first knew Jari in college when he was "Jerry"...50 years ago. He was then, and always continued to be, a kind and funny and honorable friend. I am so saddened in losing him.

Although I can't attend Jari's service this weekend, I will be there in spirit. He was such a great guy. He will be greatly missed.

This indeed is tragic. I've known Jari for many years, and he was one of my favorite people. I'll miss his rapid-fire wit and kind nature. At least his struggles with the game of golf have at long last come to an end.

I knew him as Butch and am very sad to hear what happen. He was one crazy Boheminan (really with acapital B). Nazdar, pratel!!

I always enjoyed that we could break into the Lumber Jack song and then drop right back into what ever we were doing. 

I will always appreciate your existential-zen-master-like wisdom in helping my find my artistic voice. Letting me know it was equally okay to be obsessively unsatisfied with may art and equally okay to be simply satisfied with all its imperfections.

Others have said it, "kind", that is the best word to describe him.

One last time Jari, I am a lumberjack and I'm okay...

Although I will be unable to attend the service this Sunday, my thoughts will definitely be there. Jari and I have run together, worked together, shared Firearm and shooting stories and had more than a few libations together. I truly do not think that in my 71 years, I have ever met a  more kind, warm, and caring individual. I have lost a number of good friends in the last few years, non have affected me as much as  this loss." Irreplaceable " is an apt description of Jaroslav"Jari" Vodehnal!!!!

My dear Jaroslav, I am deeply saddened by your passing. I will remember the good times, the thoughtfulness, and the humor that you always showed the world. I will miss you.

I worked on some projects with Jari. What a guy, what a sense of humor. We had some really good times together. I won't be able to make the event on Sunday due to a previous commitment. My condolences to the family and best wishes to all who knew Jari.

Having met him only recently, I can understand how fortunate his friends are to have been part of his life.  What a loss! I am thankful I had a chance to meet him and experience a moment of his soul. My heart goes out to his daughter as well as the rest of the family and friends.

We loved Jari. Everyone did. He always had a smile. Never took himself too seriously. Yet he was a tough competitor in running and a great race volunteer. You will surely be missed, Friend. Glad I had the pleasure to know you.

Here's on last laurel, and hardy handshake old friend. Hangin' some negative fill in your honor.

My sincere condolences to Jari's family and numerous friends. I was a semester behind Jari at Reagan High School, but was lucky enough, back then, to have been included in his wonderful, unique circle of friends. And, I have remained fortunate to have enjoyed occasional contact with him over these many, many years. Jari, in my memory, will always be defined by his kindness, grace and humor. The world is now, sadly, short one irreplaceable, delightful person.  
Paul Marsh
Amador City, California

I will truly miss seeing him walk up and down Harvard Street.

Jari was of the generation of filmmakers in Houston who pioneered the the blossoming of the industry here. He was always a professional and supportive member, and all will endeavor to follow in his footsteps that left such an admirable contribution. Plus, he was flat out one of the best friends we could ever hope for.

A touchstone that will long be missed.  Jari grew up in the Heights and never left, though he traveled extensively.  I always knew where to find him when he was in town.  The Houston Heights has lost one of it's kindest, humblest lifetime members and it will never be the same.  Life well lived, man well loved.  Vaya con Dias, Jari.

I am so sorry to read this.  Jerry and I go back to the early days at Ch. 39.  He was a wonderful person. His fabulous sense of humor will be missed.

Jaroslav was an amazing man that I had the pleasure to work with in the entertainment industry. He was professional, dedicated & kind. I loved watching him work and the beauty that he brought through the camera lens. He will be greatly missed!

You will be missed by the Reagan High School class of 62.  You were one of the good guys and a friend through those years.

Andrea Anderson Utz

What a tragic  loss, Jaroslav's warped sense of humor will be sorely missed.  Ride on my friend.

A wonderful man/boy.  Jari we will miss your cutting wit, crazy shirts and awesome hats!  But more than anything we will miss your wonderfully kind spirit!

OBITUARIO

Jaroslav Josef ("Jari/Vodie") Vodehnal

8 diciembre, 1943 – 3 octubre, 2013

Heights Funeral Home

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