AL Reznik

Alphonse (AL) Louis Reznik, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went to be with his heavenly Father on May 26, 2010, at the age of 88. He was born on May 24, 1922, in Alma, Texas (near Ennis) to proud, hardworking Moravian (now Czech Republic) immigrants -- John and Francis Reznik. He quickly learned English in the first grade and developed a strong work ethic that he passed on to his four children.

AL volunteered to serve in the US Navy during World War II. Assigned to the South Pacific and aboard an aircraft escort carrier, the USS Petrof Bay, he bravely weathered the intense battles and was among the first to witness suicidal pilots known as kamikazes.

After the war, while living in Dallas, he smartly and quickly swept the young Mignon Lemmons, from Oklahoma, into his arms and married her on May 14, 1949, in Stamford, Texas. Moving to Friona in September of 1949, he received life-changing education through the GI Bill, known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act under FDR, and proved to be a progressive farmer.

Finding his passion for living, he successfully farmed in Friona, Stratford and Lubbock, Texas. Expanding his farming techniques, he brought innovative pivot sprinkler technology to Elfrida, Arizona, located in the Sulfur Spring Valley. Longing for Texas again, AL and Mig relocated to Lubbock in January of 1976, where they remained.

AL’s passion for education impacted the people around him. Proving his point, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Science in 1999, at 77 years of age. In honor of his efforts, his family started the Al & Mignon Scholarship Endowment through the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech University to aid financially older students returning to school.

AL is survived by his wife, Mignon Reznik of Lubbock, and his children: Michael and Linda Reznik of Odessa, Texas; Sandy and David Butcher of Lawton, Oklahoma; Annette and Jim Watters of Fredericksburg, Texas; and Patrick and Lily Reznik of Dripping Springs, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., at Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel, 5740 W. 19th, Lubbock, Texas. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5pm to 7pm. Pallbearers will be: Shad Altman, Derek Reznik, Luke Evans, John-Patrick Evans, David Butcher, and Jim Watters.

Due to AL’s love of education and in lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that any monetary donations be mailed to the “Al & Mignon Scholarship Endowment,” Texas Tech Foundation, Inc., PO Box 45025, Lubbock, Texas 79409. Donations may also be made online at https://securejava.tosm.ttu.edu/onlineGiving/searchForFunds.do?searchForFunds=reznik.

The Reznik family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.