Joseph Michael Zepczyk

Of Houston, Texas passed away on October 10, 2014. He was born in Prentice, Wisconsin on September 24, 1925, the eldest son of Joseph and Cordelia Zepczyk. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Patricia L. Zepczyk. He is survived by his four daughters: Donna Renyck and husband, Ray; LuAnn Fonteno; Patricia Woods and husband, Glen; and, Peggy Kuhns and husband, Ron. Also surviving him are 9 grandchildren: Kate Renyck, John Renyck, Mark Renyck, Kari Abrams, Lori Hollis, Michael Woods, Amy Kearby, Amanda Kuhns and Megan Kuhns and 5 great grandchildren: Kira Renyck, Joseph Renyck, Avery Hollis, Grady Hollis, and Jack Kearby. His surviving siblings are brothers, Tony Zepczyk, Rev. Gabriel Zepczyk , and Ray Zepczyk and sisters Rose Babler, and Mary Zepczyk. He was preceded in death by his brother John Zepczyk and his sister, Sister Mary Rose.

Joe was a man of deep faith in God, country, and family. He was a member of the St. Edwards Catholic Community for over 40 years and a member of Senior Saints. He enjoyed Bingo and Casino trips and his blueberry donuts on Donut Sunday. A devout Roman Catholic, he was an active fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6557, serving his church and community. He participated in their service projects and particularly enjoyed helping with meal preparation. He regularly played golf with his fellow knights.

Joe was a decorated Navy Veteran enlisting when he was17 years old. He deployed during WWII with the Seabees to New Guinea and the Philippines. He was a plank holder on the USS Midway and served tours on destroyers during the Korean War. Joe’s final Navy tour was in Vietnam before retiring in 1968. As a Supply Corp Officer, he was selected to attend the Culinary Institute of America in 1962. Joe also did ice carving for many catered events. In retirement, he enjoyed the interaction with current military members by volunteering at the USO and attending annual Army/Navy football games with his daughters and their husbands. He will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

After the Navy, he served as a District Manager for ARA before serving as the Food Service Director for the Cy-Fair School District in Houston, Texas. He created efficiency through developing the central kitchen concept that resulted in the building of the district’s food production center in 1986. The center is one of the most unique facilities in the state, if not the country, serving as a model operation over the past 28 years.

In retirement, he enjoyed golf and gardening. He took great pride in starting his bumper crop of home- grown tomatoes from seeds he collected from friends, family and the previous year’s crops. He instilled a love of baking in his children and grand- children through annual poticia making and gingerbread cookie decorating. He will be remembered for his bread making and soup making.

He will always be remembered as a man of great faith and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.