Karl Dee Nedela

Karl Dee Nedela was born June 23, 1932 in Crete, Nebraska to first generation immigrant parents Gertrude Elizabeth Riley and Karl Frank Nedela, married 1923. He was the next to youngest of 5 children, Mary Ann, Norris (Nordy), Jo Ellen, and Kay. Karl, a class-clown with a heart of gold, met his wife, Elizabeth, when they were only 12. He loved to tell the story of their first High School date when they were both so excited to go out together with a group of friends, they fell asleep on the drive back. They dated through high school and were eventually named Prom King and Queen in 1950.

Karl, a proud Veteran, enlisted in the Air Force after one year at Doane College in Crete, NE, while Liz stayed at Doane until they were married. On July 5th, 1952 the two were married and promptly loaded up Karl’s car and drove straight to Denver, CO where he was completing his Air Force training. July 1st, 1953 Karl and Liz celebrated the birth of their son Michael and November 21st, 1955 brought their beloved daughter Laura. When Karl was called up to serve in Korea and again in Veitnam, he and Liz wrote back and forth every day, numbering their letters so they could get them in the right order when the post delivered them. He began his Air Force career flying B-36 bombers and then moved to B-52 bombers for the remainder of his career, where he sat at the back of both planes as the gunner. He was stationed in Denver, CO; Fort Worth, TX; Limestone, ME; El Paso, TX; and Abilene, TX. Karl finished his degree at McMurrey College while the family was stationed in Abilene in the early 70s.

Karl and Liz moved to Killeen shortly after Karl retired from the Air Force, where they would embark on a new adventure. Liz, with her love of stories and children, taught 1st grade at Reeces Creek Elementary in Killeen, while Karl with his big laugh and backwards words, taught Government, Economics, AP History, along with coaching Basketball, Football, Track, and Academic Decathlon at Fairway Junior High then Killeen High until he retired in 1996. He was honored to be coaching when Killeen High won their state championship in Football in 1991.

Every summer, Karl and Liz enjoyed traveling with their family and grandkids taking road trips from North Dakota to Colorado to Florida to Maryland, nothing was out of bounds. They were never ones to miss a performance or recital, even traveling to see their youngest granddaughter, Jessie, perform during her college years in Indiana. Through all of these travels, Karl was almost constantly running into former students who would greet him with “Coach Nedela,” and always bringing out his memorable laugh and sparking a memory he had to share with them. Karl was always quick with a joke, song, or story with his friends, and he never met a stranger.

Through their membership at First United Methodist Church Killeen, Karl and Liz began spending Thursday afternoons feeding the homeless of the area through the “Lunch with Our Friends” program, where he entertained their guests with tales and jokes as they enjoyed their lunches.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, 4 siblings, and his beloved wife Elizabeth Snow Nedela.

His memory and stories will live on in his son Michael Nedela, Daughter Laura Nedela Wallace, grand son Brian Nedela, step grandson Michael Carter, Granddaughters Maggie Wallace Johnson and Jessie Wallace, great-granddaughters Hayden Nedela and Florence Johnson, and beloved dog Mitzi.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Methodist Church - Killeen for their “Lunch with Our Friends” program or a pet rescue of your choosing.

A visitation for Karl will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, TX 765421654. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, TX 765421654. A committal service will occur Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542.