Raymond Alfred Cervenka

Born on May 18, 1930 to Robert and Frances Cervenka in West, Texas, Ray was the youngest of seven half-siblings. He married Evelyn Mary Slay on April 30, 1955 and spent the past 55 years loving, working, gardening, traveling, raising children, playing and watching sports of all kinds, and constantly turning the air conditioning up.

After graduating from West High School in 1948, Ray served two years in the US Army at Fort Hood. His career in claims began as a Field Claims Adjuster in Waco, Texas for Kansas City Fire and Marine Insurance Company. In 1959, Ray and Evelyn relocated to Austin where Ray began 34 years with Hammerman and Gainer in Claims Adjusting and Claims Management serving as Adjuster, Supervisor, and Executive Vice President. He was elected President of the Independent Insurance Adjusters Association in 1984 and President of the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters in 1991. In 1994 Ray joined Barron Risk Management as Vice President until his retirement in 2006.

Ray is survived by his wife Evelyn; three sons, Nicholas, Mark, and Greg; one daughter, Jennifer; ten grandchildren; and one brother, Bob Cervenka of Waco. Nicholas "Nick" and his wife Dawn have three children, Blake, Brett and Amye Cervenka. Mark and his wife Katie have one child, Truman Cervenka. Greg and his wife Kelley have four children; Greg’s children, Whitney Cervenka Fronda and her husband Mathew Fronda, and Michael Cervenka; and Kelley’s children Ashley and Chad Juskowich. Jennifer and her husband Michael Lamar have two children, Ryan and Caroline Lamar. In addition to Ray’s parents, six of his siblings, Edward Cervenka, Lillian (Cervenka) Nemecek, Method Cervenka, Henry Lenart, Tillie (Lenart) Dvoracek, and Bernard Lenart, precede him in death.

Ray enjoyed his work and continued to further his professional expertise as a life-long learner. Ray especially looked forward to his participation in alternative dispute resolution mediations for the Texas Association of Counties in the latter part of his career. His professional skills in mediating and his demeanor at home both reflected his interest in understanding both sides of an argument and finding a fair and just resolve. Few opportunities to further his own schooling did not dissuade his belief that higher education was a key to creating opportunities for his children to be both happy and successful in their life’s work. All four children received bachelor’s degrees, two also earning master’s degrees. Ray’s advice to his children was to choose a field they could be passionate about and embrace their education as a gateway toward a fulfilling career.

His support of the University of Texas extended beyond writing tuition checks. Ray’s love of sport was legendary and his Texas Longhorns were at the epicenter. Beyond attending games and reading the sports page every morning, Ray worked as a Track and Field Volunteer for the Texas Relays at The University of Texas for over twenty years. He attended countless of his own children's and grandchildren's little league, football, basketball, volleyball games, and track and gymnastics meets, for whom he was a willing practice partner and never short on advice.

Ray loved a party and the conversation of family and good friends. One could not think of Ray without recalling his quick and dry wit, his love of a good laugh, and his deft playing of dominoes. Even in his last years, so ravaged by Alzheimer’s Disease, his witty rapport was evident if not by a logical construction of words, by the warm tone in his voice and the twinkle in his eye.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until 8:00 o’clock in the evening with a rosary to be recited at 7 o’clock on Thursday, the 7th of October, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar in Austin. A funeral mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 8th of October at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive in Austin, with Monsignor Bill Brooks as celebrant.

Burial will follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Hospice Austin or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We are grateful to a man who shared his life with us and who embodied generosity and responsibility and led his life with honor and dignity.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.