James L. Hejl

James Leopold (Jim) Hejl, age 102, of Little River-Academy passed away on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at a local care center. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, May 6, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 7, at Temple Brethren Church, 2202 Bird Creek Drive, Temple. Mr. Hejl was born December 13, 1913 in the Beyersville Community southeast of Taylor in Williamson County, the son of Henry H. and Albina Dusek Hejl. He was educated in the Temple Public Schools, graduating from Temple High School in 1932 with honors. He helped his father in the grocery business and completed a correspondence business course in 1934. He later worked as a carpenter for 25 cents an hour and in 1936 was employed by the Sinclair Refining Company in Temple as a route salesman. In 1939, he purchased and operated the Sinclair Service Station located at 203 North Main Street, across Barton Avenue from the Kyle Hotel. On December 25, 1940, Jim married Mildred Skrabanek of Caldwell, Texas, and they would enjoy over 66 years as husband and wife until Mildred’s passing on August 26, 2007. After service in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Mr. Hejl again operated the Sinclair Service Station in Temple. In 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Hejl purchased a farm on State Highway 95 just north of the community of Academy, where they built a home. Mr. Hejl was employed by Chupik Wood Manufacturing Company of Temple (later Chupik Corporation) from 1950 until his retirement in 1980. During those years, Mr. Hejl filled the positions of Shipping Clerk, Purchasing Agent, Assistant Sales Manager, Sales Manager, and Vice President and Marketing Manager. He retired as Executive Vice President and Operations Manager, charged with coordinating the production and sales operations of the company. Mr. Hejl was an active, faithful member of Temple Brethren Church and Sunday School since 1920, filling a variety of leadership roles. He was also a devoted member of the SPJST and the Texas Czech Genealogical Society. He enjoyed genealogy research, gardening, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and watching football. Preceding Mr. Hejl in death were his parents; his wife; a brother and sister-in-law, Edmond Hejl and wife Milady of Fort Worth; a sister and brother-in-law, Esther Hejl Totah and husband George of Victoria; and a son-in-law, Jim Moseley of Temple. Survivors include two daughters, Sandra Moseley of Temple and Patricia Williamson of Little River-Academy; a son, Rev. James D. Hejl and wife Peggy of Taylor; a grandson, Christopher Hejl and wife Krista of Little Elm; two granddaughters, Ashley Williamson of Dallas and Courtney Hejl of Addison; a great-granddaughter, Mckenzie Hejl of Little Elm; a niece, Susan Hejl of Cleburne; and four nephews, Charles M. (Mike) Hejl of Fort Worth, Robert Hejl and wife Leah of Dallas, Alan Totah and wife Debbie of Houston, and Kenneth Totah of Teaticket, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Temple Brethren Church, 2202 Bird Creek Drive, Temple, TX 76502; Taylor Brethren Church, P.O. Box 351, Taylor, TX 76574; Buckner International, 700 North Pearl Street, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75201 (Designation: “Shoes for Orphan Souls”); or Baylor University, Office of University Development, One Bear Place #97050, Waco, TX 76798-7026 (Designation: Nursing School Capital Fund).