Johnnie Frank Hajek Sr.

Johnnie who was named for his grandfather was Baptized Jan Frantisek Hajek, He was born on April 19, 1925 in Shiner, Texas. His family had a deep Czech heritage. He learned Czech by listening to the women folk talk & became fluent over time. He also mastered the Russian language at the University of Texas, able to both read and write the language

His young life involved horses, orchards, farm and family. His dad was his role model. He talked of his dad as being the last of the cowboys. In the early 50's still rounding up cattle by horseback. Horses were a big part of his younger days. He said he became bow legged from all that riding. He loved baseball and pitched for his team in grade school.

He graduated from St Ludmila's Academy in Shiner at the age of 16 in 1941. He received a scholarship to Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Texas, which was a military academy at the time. After receiving his Associates Degree at Schreiner, he attended the University of Texas as a pre-med student.

Germany was on the march and he was now draft age. He would be part of the 275th infantry, Company A, 70th division of the US Army. During the Battle of the Bulge, his company of about 200 men were surrounded by German tanks. Only 6 survived the attack on February 22, 1945. They were marched downhill to a German tank & eventually packed in cattle cars for over 30 hours. No food, water or coats in the middle of a bitter cold winter. The stalags were all full so they were put in a death march. All allied men of different Nationalitys. The march went on for weeks. His youth had saved him. He was liberated on May 6, 1945.

Coming home he was diagnosed with Malaria and weighed 95 pounds. He was fattened up at Fort Sam in San Antonio, Texas. Home was short-lived and had orders for Fort Ord in California, on the Pacific Coast, Monterrey Bay. He was a postal clerk on base and loved the job of spreading cheer with the mail to his fellow soldiers and close friends. They were to be the next wave in the Japanese theater. If not for the bombing by the Enola Gay at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, his fate would have been tried again.

After again returning home, with severe PTSD (not known at the time), he did not leave the house for a year. Eventually time healed his emotional and physical scars, and helped run his dad's John Deere tractor dealership in Shiner.

He would soon meet Carrie Patek and they were married on his Mother Lillian's birthday, August 4, 1948. They had 4 children. Linda Sue, Johnnie Jr., Marie Elaine & Karen Joan. They lived a typical life on Avenue C next to his Dad and Mothers home. His dad passed away on May 4, 1953, and he took over the dealership. He had to do a lot of traveling. He scoured Texas for good used tractors so they could be refreshed and resold. Few farmers had money for new tractors.

Eventually with stress taking him down, he decided better opportunity awaited him in Austin, Texas. He purchased a home near UT campus in Austin. This afforded educational opportunities to the kids that they never would have had in Shiner. He remained with the same company, and eventually retired from Goodyear after 25 years.

The last few years of his wife Carrie's life, he was attending to her every need. She ailed for many months. In Seton hospital during a planned surgical procedure they found she had suffered from cancer for a long time. She passed away on that day, August 20, 2008. Having lost her, he was now all alone. He often said that God spared him in battle, so that he could be there for her during those trying years.

Over time he developed a relationship with Jerrilyn Patek and they married on February 9th, 2009. Jerrilyn became his rock of strength & breathed new life into him. For this the family will be ever grateful. She brought him so much happiness, words can't express. He loved to travel. He especially loved Washington D.C., Hawaii, Florida and Europe. The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Catholic University campus in Washington D.C. was his favorite, especially at Christmas. He was also in awe of the beauty of the Czech Republic, and all the religious history in Italy. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, and the VFW. He was also a great American who loved his country.

He is preceded in death by his Father, Emil T Hajek and mother Lillian Agnes Ermis Hajek, Brothers, Gene J Hajek and Emil W Hajek. He his survived by his wife Jerrilyn P Hajek, Children, Linda Sue Boenig and husband Larry of Austin, Johnnie F Hajek Jr. and wife Kim of Austin, Marie Elaine Nun and husband Jeff of Mclean, Virginia, and Karen Joan Payne and husband Bill of Sugarland, Texas. Grandchildren, Aaron Boenig, Adam Boenig, Brad Boenig, Travis Hajek, Scotty Hajek, Lauren Grissett, Christie Grissett, Rachel Swanburg and Roxanne Haines, and many great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass is under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home in Shiner and will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday August 23rd at Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner, Texas. A Rosary will be Recited at 1:30 pm prior to the Mass. Visitation will be at Buffington Funeral Home on Friday, August 22nd from 6 to 7:30pm.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the American Cancer Society, Hospice Compassus of Austin, or the charity of your choice.