Fr. Stephen Joseph Duyka

Fr. Stephen was born in Mesquite, Texas on January 6, 1953 to Frank and Bessie Duyka.

Fr. Stephen attended St. Augustine Elementary and Bishop Lynch High School. He graduated from H. Grady Spruce High School. Fr. Stephen earned a Bachelor Degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and a Masters from Houston Baptist University in Houston.

Fr. Stephen studied at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas for the Diocese of Tyler. After his ordination, Fr. Stephen served in parishes in Mt. Pleasant, Lufkin, the Student Center on the Campus of Stephen F. Austin University, Rusk, Texarkana, New Boston, and finally, as Pastor at St. Catherine of Siena in Atlanta.

Fr. Stephen had just celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination on May 22, 2022 and was counting down the days to his retirement and subsequent move into his tiny home in Honey Grove, Texas.

Fr. Stephen was predeceased by his mother, Bessie Maykus Duyka, brother, Edward John Duyka, his brother-in-law George A. Jones and Stepsister Sandy Turpin.

Fr. Stephen is survived by his father and step-mother, Frank and Ann Duyka, sister, Mary Duyka Jones, step-sister, Beverly Cauley, and step-brother, Johnny Langston, his nieces, Krysti Jones (Larry White) and Brandi Jones Gaylord, nephew, Joseph Edward Jones (Deanna Vrba Jones), grandnephew Zachary Palmer (Amber Miller Palmer), three grandnieces, Sydnie Palmer Lauw (Connor Lauw), Kaytee Jones, Melissa Gaylord, great grandnephews, Houston and Hunter, twin great grandnieces due this summer, and many cousins in the Duyka, Kapavik, Maykus, and Cernoch families, classmates and friends.

Fr. Stephen has impacted so many lives during his time here among us. As long as we keep our memories of him alive, his spirit will remain with us. Please always treat everyone, both friend and stranger, with the same kindness Fr. Stephen has shown to all who crossed his path.

In lieu of flowers, Fr. Stephen requested that donations be made in his memory to either

Assumption Seminary, 2600 W Woodlawn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78228 or St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 309 N Louise St, Atlanta 75551.

Visitation and vigil service will be from 4pm to 8pm Wednesday, June 8, 2022 with the vigil at 7pm at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church at 309 N Louise St, Atlanta, TX reception to follow in the parish hall.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11am Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 4505 Elizabeth St., Texarkana, TX with Bishop Joseph Strickland officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastfuneralhomes.com for the Duyka family.