Marvin James Marek Sr.

Marvin James Marek Sr., Age 86, of Katy, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024. Marvin was born December 12, 1937, in Shiner, Texas the son of John Paul Marek and Rosie Stavinoha Marek. Marvin graduated from Cresent High School in 1956. After completing high school, he stated that he “escaped the farm and joined the U. S. Army.” In comparison to farm work in the hot, humid region of Texas, army life was a “breeze.” He served in the Map Service under the 8th Army Engineers Battalion Far East District in Tokyo, Japan for 30 months. He earned the rank of Staff Sargent before being Honorably Discharged in 1959. Upon his return home from the Army, Marvin married Judith Madeleine Knight on November 19, 1960, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Houston. While supporting his family, Marvin worked two jobs, enrolled in night classes, and attended both South Texas Junior College and the University of Houston for seven years. Marvin and Judy were married for 64 years, raised five children, and were blessed with twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Marvin had a 32-year career with the Harris County Engineering Department,, , first in the Design Division, then as the Chief of the Land Subdivision Development Section. The last part of this tenure was managing the Permit Division he organized in 1973 to satisfy the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program, until his retirement in 1996. Marvin and his family have been members of several Catholic Churches in and around the Houston area but settled in St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in Katy, TX for over 20 years. At St. Bart’s, Marvin served as lector at daily and Sunday Masses and was active in several ministries. Additionally, he organized the Czech Mass at St. Bart’s, welcoming Czech deacons to Katy for annual celebrations from 2006-2024. Marvin loved traveling with his wife Judith, and their excursions took them to exotic destinations around the world such as India, Japan, Guatemala, Brazil and many beautiful places in Europe and around the world. Many summers were spent in the Czech Republic rekindling relationships with extended Czech family. Throughout the years, a strong bond was re-established between the Czech family living in the US and those still living in the “old country.” For most of his adult life, Marvin had an avid interest in his Czech heritage. He held offices or served on the boards of directors of the following Czech American organizations: Czech Catholic Foundation of Texas (CCFT) Czech Ex-students Association of Texas Czech Educational Foundation of Texas Catholic Union of Texas, the KJT National Alliance of Czech Catholics, as well as the Texas District Slavic Festival Committee in Houston Fort Bend County Czech Alliance Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center Marvin founded the Czech Catholic Foundation of Texas (CCFT) to document, study, preserve, celebrate, and perpetuate all elements of the Czech Catholic faith transplanted to Texas by immigrants from the Czech lands, and to strengthen ties with Czech Catholics of the ancestral homeland evangelized by SS Cyril and Methodius. Marvin had a deep Christian faith and love of the Catholic Church. One of Marvin’s favorite bible verses was Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Many mornings, he would shout this verse with gusto in the sleepy Marek family home. Marvin had a strong work ethic and was in constant motion. He was an avid reader, considered a scholar of Czech Catholic studies. Inspired by his passion for the family history, Marvin spent nearly 40 years researching, scouring archives, and interviewing family members to write and publish a book that chronicles the Marek Family History from 1500-1989. Remaining to cherish Marvins’s memory are spouse, Judith Marek; children Bernadette Thomas (and husband Rob), Marvin Marek Jr. (and wife Charlene), Denise Lesak, Paul Marek (and wife Lilia) and Rose Stornello (and husband Rosario); grandchildren Anthony Surman (and wife Kathryn), Amanda Hendrix (and husband Jonathan), Rhett Thomas (and wife Paulina), Katharine Thomas, Michelle Lesak, Christian Lesak, Liana Marek, Maia Marek, Luke Marek, Joseph Stornello, Victoria Stornello and Philip Stornello; great-grandchildren William Surman, Grace Surman, Theodore Hendrix, and Blair Thomas; and brother Raymond Marek and an abundance of loving nephews, nieces and friends. Preceding Marvin in death are parents John Paul Marek and Rosie Stavinoha Marek; siblings Daniel Marek, John Marek, Robert Marek, and Marie Luchak; and son-in-law Lin Lesak. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. CST, followed by a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. CST, and funeral Mass celebration at 11:00 a.m. CST, at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, 5356 11th St., Katy, TX 77493. Lunch reception will follow, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the church Family Life Center. Burial will take place at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church - New Taiton, 1843 CR 469 Rd., El Campo, Texas 77437 at 3:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed at the link below: Rosary: https://www.youtube.com/live/EaKWUrmRcyY?si=pgfgqW8kYhDQG-lt Mass: https://www.youtube.com/live/CqSspr1SZgU?si=HW18muNoV8KfK_bG In lieu of flowers, donations in Marvin’s memory may be directed to the Czech Catholic Foundation of Texas (CCFT) c/o Dr. Joseph Peters Ph.D., Treasurer, 619 Dorothy St., El Campo, TX 77437-2708.

Marvin James Marek Sr.

December 12, 1937 - November 5, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Marvin James Marek Sr.

December 12, 1937 - November 5, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information