Maurice F Trial

Mr. Maurice Francis Trial went to be with his Lord on August 18, 2017, at San Antonio, Texas at the age of 97 years, 8 months and 8 days. Maurice was born in Hobson, Texas on January 10, 1920 to Louis and Cecile Maurin Trial. His parents and his grandparents, Joseph Trial and Augustine Girardin Trial were pioneers in the Hobson area having bought 1988 acres of land in Karnes County in 1898, in what was to become Hobson, Texas. His early years were spent on the family farm in Hobson and he told many interesting stories of his early experiences, to anyone who would listen, including playing 1st base for the Hobson Cubs for 16 years. Maurice left the farm to become a WWII veteran when he enlisted in the United States Army on December 3, 1941, 4 days before Pearl Harbor. He reported for Basic Training on December 11, 1941, at Shepard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. He later applied for, and was accepted to Flight Training School. He received a commission as a Warrant Officer. He was a patriot and very proud of this service and also loved to relate stories of these experiences. After WWII, Maurice intended to remain in the service and make it a career. That was not to be, however, and he was separated from the Air Corps with the reduction in force that came with the war’s end. He did remain in, and retire from, the Air Force Reserves and was called back to duty briefly during the Korean War. One of his greatest memories was in 2012 when he had the privilege of participating in one of the Honor Flights honoring WWII veterans.

After his military service, Maurice returned to Hobson and again took up farming as well as briefly running an automotive garage with his good friend, Regis Drees. It was through this friend that his met, and fell in love with, Mary Genevieve Hilgefort, of Sydney, Ohio, who was Regis’ cousin. They were married on November 6, 1947 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in San Antonio. For a year, they lived in Hobson and continued farming. They then moved to Dayton, Ohio to be closer to Mary Gen’s mother, a widow. Both of them went to work at Wright Patterson Air Force Base until retirement. During this time also, Maurice kept up his flying status and in the role of Flight Instructor, trained many aspiring, young pilots. Flying was the joy of his life.

In April 1976, they pulled up stakes and moved back to Texas to reside in San Antonio. During this time, Maurice also spent many weekends at his farm in Hobson, which he continued to run until it was necessary for him to retire. He was always a lover of the land, especially in his hometown area.

His wife, Mary Gen, died in April 1995. On May 20, 1999, Maurice married Margaret Jalufka Evans, in St. Matthew Catholic Church. He and Margaret had known each other in Hobson from their early years and were reunited through their mutual love of dancing. Their dancing partnership resulted in a marriage of 9 years until her death in November 2008.

Maurice was a lifelong Catholic and was very proud of having served 7 years as an altar server as a young boy. He was a devoted member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in San Antonio. He became a member of the Knights of Columbus in April 1952 and attained 4th degree in 1957. He served as the Grand Knight for Council 4140 for several years, and greatly influenced the direction of his council. He was also a member of Alhambra, American Legion Post 02, and a generous supporter of Catholic and other charities.

Besides his two wives and parents, Maurice was preceded in death by brothers, Felix, Regis, Hubert, Sylvester, and Gerald Trial and sisters, Cecile Trial Kutach and Magdalen Trial Harlos. Maurice is survived by a brother, Gregory Trial of Yorktown, Virginia, his step-children, Susan Cameron (Ottis), Patricia McGrath (Michael), Michael Evans (Mitzi), grandchildren Elizabeth Cameron Carnevale, Bonnie Pendergrass, Michael McGrath, Jr., Jillian Evans, and Ryan Evans, great-grandchildren, Gianna and Carmine Carnavale and 20 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Roy Akers Funeral Home, 515 N. Main Ave. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 10703 Wurzbach with a 10:00 a.m. Mass. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2017 with Military Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach.