Ervin V. Grafe

Ervin Victor Grafe (Erv), age 86, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2023. Erv was born on December 25, 1936 in the family farmhouse near Hallettsville, Texas. He attended Sacred Heart School where he met his future wife Mary Rose when he was in the 3rd grade.

Erv attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio before graduating from the University of Texas with an Architectural Engineering degree. Erv and Mary Rose married in 1958 and he studied for his engineering classes while bouncing their first child on his knee, working his way through school, and spending weekends and summer vacations with the Texas National Guard.

The family settled in southwest Houston and Erv worked for various structural engineering firms before forming Erv Grafe & Associates in the 1980’s. One of his early projects was contributing to the unique structural engineering design of the Astrodome. Erv also performed the engineering for many of the early and subsequent tilt-wall construction projects in the area. He was a trusted go-to engineer for many prominent architects in Houston.

Erv was a devout Catholic and was an active member of Corpus Christi parish for 60 years. He could still be found giving hugs and greeting people in the last months of his life. He knew everyone, and he made everyone feel special. He and Mary Rose started the Family Guilds and were involved with the marriage preparation program. They stayed connected with many of the engaged couples they sponsored. Erv was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was instrumental in the formation and growth of Council 12385 at Corpus Christi parish. Recruitment, service to the Vietnamese Dominican Sisters and Lenten fish fries were his specialty.

Erv was passionate about passing on his faith through Catholic education and made sure all 4 of his children attended 12 years of Catholic school. He was involved in the opening of Marian Christian High School and served on the board for many years. He loved the students as if they were his own, and was their biggest fan at many sporting events.

Although he served others in countless ways, he considered one of his greatest ministries that of visiting Woman’s Hospital of Texas to give communion to Catholic patients and friendly smiles, conversation, and prayers to all patients and staff he came across. He would cry with women in despair and rejoice with those celebrating precious new life. Erv loved keeping track of the babies born and kept in touch with many patients even after his 30 years of ministry ended abruptly with the pandemic.

Erv and Mary Rose lived in the same home for 60 years. Affectionately known as the Mayor of Hummingbird he still loved to sit on his front patio and wave to and talk with his beloved neighbors. He enjoyed being outside taking care of his many plants and flowers. He brought a flower to Mary Rose almost every day.

Erv was widely known for his competitive nature in any game, but especially in his love of volleyball. He played weekly for many years into his 70’s, including competing at the Senior Olympics for a number of years. Wordle competitions with family were fun for him most recently.

All of this was secondary to his love for his immediate and extended family and his joy at gathering and visiting with any and all of them. The gatherings were especially joyful for him when they happened in his beloved hometown of Hallettsville at the ‘old ancestral home’ with polka music, dominoes, horseshoes and beer. Erv is survived by his beloved wife and dance partner of 65 years, Mary Rose; four siblings: Dorothy Bujnoch (late George), Sister Emiliana, Tony (Diane), and David (Pam); his children Marilyn Lacey (Tony), Linda Shook (Allen), Gerald (Lynda), and Tricia Murphy (Dennis); 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren (plus 2 on the way), and too-many to count nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church or School (Houston) or Sacred Heart Catholic Church or School (Hallettsville).

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