R. M. "Rudy" Minarcik Jr.

R.M. “Rudy” Minarcik Jr. left this world on the 22nd of May 2012, before we were ready to let him go at a very young 84 years. Rudy was born in Fayetteville, Texas to Rudolph and Clara on the 15th of September 1927. He has been a resident of Houston for the majority of his life.

Rudy was a graduate of Fayetteville High School and a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie class of 1951. After a short stint the army and reserves Rudy was ready to tackle the world. Rudy chose the marketing field as his occupation and held a variety of positions in marketing and sales, both “hoofing the streets” doing cold calls, to senior management. Rudy was always selling something and was known for his persistence and candor. It was said that he could sell snow cones to an Eskimo or socks to a man with no feet. Rudy was an active member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, a founding member, Men’s Club of St. Augustine, Lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, SPJST member, RVOS Catholic Life and of course a member of the Texas A&M Former Students and 12th Man Foundation.

Life was not all work and no play as Rudy met the love of his life in Rose Marie Blaha and they married on the 2nd of October 1952. This partnership produced 5 children, 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Those left behind to cherish his memory and love are Rose Marie, his partner and best friend for the past 60 years; Rhonda (Bill) Edwards, their children, Angie (Aaron) Baldwin (Will and Emory), Jon (Kim) Edwards, Melanie (Dan) Fletcher, and Lindsey Edwards, Renee Oppegard (Gary deceased), their children, Erik, Amber (Craig) Boutwell (Garrett) Aubrey Oppegard, Ross (Teri), their children, Lauren (Chris) Shrum (Henry), Jeremiah (Lindsey) Minarcik (Wyatt), Courtney Minarcik, Alison Minarcik, Russell (Cindy), their children, Jennifer (David) Juel, Justin Minarcik (& Logan), Roslyn (Duke) Lereibus, their children, Lance, Jackson and Lacy Lereibus. Rudy also leaves a sister Maxine (Alex) Wrobleski, several in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and too many friends to count. A handshake with Rudy and you were a friend for life.

We will all miss and cherish that booming voice when he would introduce himself, “RUDY,” “MINARCIK,” Aggie class of ‘51, his smile, his hugs, his encouragement to be the best and of course his proud Czech heritage and his Aggie spirit. His spirit and love will live on as well as his burning desire to BTHOTU. Whoop!

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 25th of May, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 5560 Laurel Creek Way in Houston. The recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at seven o’clock in the evening.

The funeral mass is to be offered at half-past ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 26th of May, also at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent parish hall.

The Rite of Committal is to be conducted at half-past three o’clock, also on Saturday, at St. John Catholic Cemetery, located on South FM 1291 on the east side of in Fayetteville.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Rudy’s name may be directed to Catholic Charities, 2900 Louisiana St., Houston, TX, 77006; American Heart Association, 10060 Buffalo Spdwy., Houston, TX, 77054.