Jacob Benedict Kons

Jacob Benedict Kons was born on April 24, 1935, to Anna (Heimermann) and Jacob Kons Sr. in Appleton, Wisconsin. He is survived by his loving wife of fifteen years, Lucia C. (Cunningham); his daughter Maria Rose Smith, her husband Tom, and their children, Patrick, Rosemary, and Gabriella; his grandson, Andrew J. Scholes (Lauren) and their children, Camden, Beckett, and Nolan; his son, Jacob F. Kons of Reno, Nevada; his stepchildren, Celeste Worley, Cathy Sangren (her late husband Ken), Austin Cunningham (BethAnn), Peter Cunningham, and Mary Macejewski (Keith), his brother Gerald Kons (Jean); brother in-law Michah Oriedo, and three sisters in-law: Sharon Kons, Dorothy Kons, and Marie Kons; and numerous nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren.

Jacob was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 43 years, Rose Mary Perna of Reading, Pennsylvania. As one of fourteen children, he was further preceded in death by seven brothers: Gregory, Norman, Bernard, Merlyn, Alex, Leander, and infant brother Adrian; four sisters: Eileen Willems van Dijk, Diane Matuszak, Kathleen Oriedo, and infant sister Catherine; brothers-in-law: Livio Juliani, Mike Perna, Joseph Perna, Peter Perna, John Miller, Emil Wolff, Geradus Willems van Dijk, and LeRoy Matuszak; and sisters-in-law: Angela Juliani, Louise Perna, Annie Perna, Mary Miller, LaVerne Kons, and Betty Kons.

Jacob grew up on a small farm in Appleton, Wisconsin. He wasn’t kidding when he recounted his daily trek to school as “miles long and sometimes in several feet of snow”! God gifted Jacob with intelligence, a sense of humor (some would call it goofiness), a steadfast faith, and the unique ability to play the accordion without reading music. He pursued a degree in engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and landed his first job in Reading, Pa. where he met his future wife, Rosie. At the beginning of their courtship, she told him that she never wanted to get married, but after pondering his response, “what a waste”, she relented and they were married on September 15, 1962, at St. Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church.

After achieving a master’s degree in physics at Johns Hopkins University, he and Rosie settled in Ellicott City, Md. where Maria was born in 1964.

The next career move was to Westinghouse in Warminster, Pa. where Jake junior was born in 1966. In 1971, a new and upcoming company, Texas Instruments, offered him a position and he moved his young family to a beautiful home in Richardson, Texas where they attended St. Paul the Apostle church and school.

Tired of corporate America and the daily grind, Jacob switched gears from engineering into business around 1974. Pursuing night classes at the University of Dallas, he earned an MBA, then a real estate license, and boldly started his own real estate business, Kons Realty. He also began serving the needy in his community through his leadership as the president of the St. Paul’s chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for many years.

In addition to his career, Jacob established a three-piece band known as “The Bavarian Woodchoppers”. Over the years, they played throughout the Dallas metro area at Oktoberfests, weddings, and multiple venues. Fascinated with button accordions and their intricate sounds, he masterfully engineered his very own chromatic accordion. He played regular solo gigs at European restaurants and bier gardens to the sheer delight of his audiences who found such joy in his music. Jacob also created “The World Button Accordion Association” sharing his knowledge and connecting with members across multiple countries.

The gift of grandchildren brought him such exuberance! He would make endless trips to Georgia to be with Patrick, Rosemary, and Gabriella at their births, sacraments, birthdays, holidays, and any significant events. He was “the active grandpa” playing with them outside and on the floor, teaching them music, singing silly songs, attacking them like an alligator, and being ever present in their lives.

Sadly, after his beloved Rosie succumbed to cancer in 2005, he found himself alone and suffered his own health issues. Desperate for a soulmate, he prayed to the Holy Spirit who guided him to his future wife, Lucia Cunningham, founding choir director at St. Joseph’s church. They married on April 20th, 2010, and have shared the last 15 years together.

Jacob will always be remembered for his “Jakeisms”… his “Jake Jokes”; his unique vocabulary; his obsession with recording every gas and mileage report for his indestructible Ford van; outfitting himself in a cowboy hat, plaid shirt with front pockets, trousers with a belt, briefcase in hand; his

resistance to embracing technology with a preference for using a typewriter; and so many more!

Furthermore, may he be remembered for his devotion to duty, especially his Catholic faith. During his final years, he prayed at least five rosaries a day and encouraged all of us to pray with him. Towards the end of his life, he kept speaking about the Blessed Virgin Mary as if she were in the room. Perhaps he waited for her to take him home because he so peacefully breathed his last right after midnight on July 2 which was traditionally the Feast of the Visitation of Mary.

Mass of Christian burial for Jacob will be 1:30pm on Friday, July 11th, the feast of St. Benedict (his middle name), at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richardson, with Father Cesar Garcia officiating. The rosary will be offered for Jacob at 1pm in the sanctuary prior to the Mass. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 10 from 4pm-7pm at Sparkman Funeral Home, 1029 Greenville Ave., Richardson. The holy rosary will be prayed at 6pm.

The family would like to express their utmost gratitude to the amazing medical staff at Methodist Richardson Hospital, Love Well palliative and hospice care, and Integrity Residential Care for their compassionate commitment to dignify Jacob’s life during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, please offer a donation in his name to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 600 S. Jupiter Rd. Richardson, Texas 75081.