Emil Edwin Pitrucha Jr.

Emil E. Pitrucha, Jr passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025. Emil was born on September 7, 1942, in Temple, Texas, to Emil and Agnes Pitrucha. Beginning his life in Rogers, the family moved to Killeen when he was six years old.

Emil was a proud Killeen Kangaroo and graduated from Killeen High School in 1960. After marrying Elma Kokel on February 14, 1964, he put roots down in Copperas Cove. Together they raised their 2 children, Jeff and Cindy, and enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage until her death in 2024.

Emil was well-known in the Killeen-Copperas Cove area for being a respectable, trustworthy auto mechanic who constantly helped others. He had a strong work ethic that he carried throughout his entire life. He began his lifelong automotive career when he began working at B&G Auto Supply. He then had the opportunity to own and operate the Cactus Service Station with his father-in-law, Rubin Kokel, from 1966 to 1978. After the business was dissolved, he worked for McKenzie’s Texaco in Copperas Cove, Big Chief Distributors in Killeen, and Tire Town, USA in Killeen. After he “retired” for a short 3 months, he ended up at Hank’s Tire in Copperas Cove, where he continued working part time up until about 6 months before his death.

He also used his vast knowledge to teach other young people, mentoring his grandson Colton and through automotive classes at Central Texas College during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Emil was also quite the fisherman. He was a founding member of the Bow Dilly Bass Busters in the early 1970s, which later became the Copperas Cove Bass Club. His love of fishing began with his own father and then was passed on to Jeff, who were both members of the club alongside him. Family vacations usually involved attending bass tournaments all over the state. He participated in many TABC State Top Six tournaments, winning the state title in 1981 on Lake Brownwood.

Emil is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Agnes Pitrucha, two brothers, Mike and Danny Pitrucha, and his loving wife Elma.

As much as Emil loved his work and hobbies, he loved his family even more. He was a devoted and loving husband, dad, grandad, and great grandad. Survivors include a son, Jeff Pitrucha (Michaelle) of Greenville, Texas, Cindy Tredway (Craig) of Copperas Cove, two sisters, Charlotte Snow and Cathy Raymond (Bruce), his five grandchildren; Chelsey Rivers (Eddie), Alicia Castetter (Robbie), CaseyTice (Michael), Teresa Smith (Brandon), and Colton Corp. Emil has also been blessed with 11 great-grandchildren: Derrick, Mazi, Dakota, Jackson, Charlie, Karson, Lainey, Lacey, Stetson, Cora, and Wrenley.

A Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Monday September 29th at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. The Funeral Service will begin at 10am on Tuesday September 30th at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home followed by the graveside service at Copperas Cove City Cemetery.

Emil was a bright light in this world and will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.