Leo Joseph Mrok Jr.

LEO JOSEPH MROK, JR. 70, died peacefully on Sunday, January 8, 2023. He was born in Houston on December 19, 1952 to Leo Joseph and Venita Fitts Mrok, the second child in a lively household of six. He and his siblings were christened at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and grew up in the St. Thomas More parish in Southwest Houston.

He served during the Vietnam War, following the family’s tradition of military service. His father, uncles and aunt served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Genee (Mrok) Parr and husband Col. Robert J. Parr are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His mother worked at the Red River Army Depot in Northeast Texas to support the war effort. Her brother Horace served during the Korean War. Many of her cousins and other family members have served over the decades.

Leo served with the 82nd Airborne Division and as Explosive Ordnance SP/4, Field Artillery Operations and Intelligence Assistant. He was later assigned to Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver. He kept a lifelong interest in military history and leadership, and historic firearms.

A fifth generation Texan, Leo is a graduate of the University of Houston with a degree in business. He was a popular student and athlete at Bellaire High School through his junior year, graduating from Westbury High School, Class of 1971.

He was a caring son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, and friend, with a generous heart. He inherited a creative mind and entrepreneurial spirit. He inherited the family’s love of cooking and sharing great meals with friends and family. His mom was in catering, sister Jane was owner of Brenner’s Steakhouse and brother Erik, popular Houston pit master, owns historic Lenox Barbecue & Catering in Houston's East End.

Together with his parents, Leo Jr and his siblings were founders of Houston-based Superior Rentals & Design, a major company of the event planning and hospitality industry in Greater Houston and Texas. He took over company management when his father died.

He believed that humor and tenacity went hand in hand in tackling life’s challenges and assisting clients in achieving their goals. His knowledge of event planning and about meeting customer expectations came through decades of experience in ‘expecting the unexpected.’

Leo is survived by a large extended family, including sisters Susan Mrok O'Sullivan (Dean), and Anne Mrok-Smith and children, Meagan and John Alexander (Micah); brother Erik Mrok (Noni) and children, Bianca, Reece, Nichole, and Michelle; aunts Marlene Fitts and Mary Ellen (Fitts) Stephenson (Bill); generations of cousins and other family members; and decades of friends, clients, and industry colleagues across Texas and the nation.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, sisters Elaine Mrok and Jane Mrok, and grandparents John and Mary (Wojtarowicz) Mrok of Holland, Michigan, and Johnnie Reece and Ida Mae Fitts of Linden, Texas.

The family thanks the staff and doctors of The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center for their patience, compassion and excellent care. Leo was a lifelong smoker until lung cancer and congestive heart failure caught up with him.

Military Graveside services will be held at 12:45 pm on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the VA Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038. Interment will follow.

Chaplain Frank Hawkins, Vietnam Veteran and U.S. Marine, will officiate. Pallbearers are John Alexander Smith, Kevin Stanley, Reece Mrok, and Harris County Deputy Constable (ret) Calvet Shelley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (CFC #11425) or to a charity of one's choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Mrok family.