Raymond Gurka

Raymond A. Gurka, 85 of Chappell Hill, Texas, passed away on March 23, 2012, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born on October 11, 1926 in Brenham, Texas to Pete Gurka and Annie Pawlawski Gurka and moved to Chappell Hill, Texas with his parents when he was six months old. He was the oldest of four children. Raymond was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill and was educated in St. Stanislaus Catholic parish school. He proudly served his country in World War II as member of the United States 5th Army, 4th Armored Division, Company A 8th Tank Battalion stationed in Germany. On February 26, 1949 Raymond married Barbara Konieczny at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. He worked in Houston, Texas at Houston Oil Center Tool Company from 1950 to 1954 and at Daniel Orifice Fitting Company from 1954 to 1966. In 1960 he moved back to Chappell Hill, while he continued to work in Houston. In 1966, Raymond started a fulltime Dairy Farm business with his family and also was involved in cattle ranching and hay bailing business. In 1985 he left the Dairy Farm business to his children and started work as the Ranch Manager for Peach Tree Farm, retiring in 2002. Raymond was a founding member of the Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department, serving as one of the first four captains. Raymond loved God''s creatures and he enjoyed raising a variety of animals and birds, such as: cows, horses, goats, sheep, emus, pot belly pigs, rabbits, doves, pigeons, and chinchillas. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting; especially coon hunting with his brother Frank. Raymond''s pride was his family and his greatest joy was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his former wife, Barbara Koniecnzy Gurka of Chappell Hill; 5 children, daughter - Theresa Derkowski & husband Paul of Chappell Hill; son – Joseph William Gurka of Chappell Hill & companion Tanya Kuny of Conroe; son – Alvin Gene Gurka & wife Helen of Chappell Hill; daughter–Dorothy "Jackie" Rotello & husband Tommy of Navasota; son - James Patrick Gurka & wife Barbara of Crawford; 7 grandchildren: Brian Derkowski & wife Sarah of Houston Clear Lake; Philip Derkowski & wife Bonnie of College Station; Joseph Rotello & Mary Rotello of Navasota, Jacob Gurka & Nathan Gurka & Josephine Gurka all of Chappell Hill; 3 great-grandchildren - Sheldon Derkowski & Benjamin Derkowski of College Station; Emily Derkowski of Houston Clear Lake; brother - Frank Gurka & wife Ruth of Chappell Hill; sister - Dorothy Faterkowski of Houston; sister - Suzie Zievert of Chappell Hill, and numerous nieces, nephews, & cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Pete & Annie Gurka; brother-in-laws Leon Faterkowski and Johnny Zievert; nephew Ronnie Zievert, and niece Cynthia Anne Gurka. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Brian Derkowski, Philip Derkowski, Joseph Rotello, Jacob Gurka, Nathan Gurka, Mary Rotello and Josephine Gurka. Serving as Honorary pallbearers will be his Godsons: Florian Faterkowski, Paul Gurka, Calvin Zievert, and Robert Gurka. The Rosary will be a private prayer service with immediate family attending. A visitation with the family will be held from 5 to 8pm Monday March 26 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home located at 1306 West Main St. in Brenham, Texas. Funeral services will be held 11:00am on Tuesday, March 27 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church 9175 FM 1371 in Chappell Hill, Texas with Rev. Jozef Musiol, SDS JCD officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church – Cemetery Fund 9175 FM 1371, Chappell Hill, TX 77426 or Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 E. Blue Bell Road, Brenham, Tx. 77833. The Gurka family would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone for their prayers, especially Rev. Jozef Musiol; and to all doctors, nurses, and caregivers associated with College Station Medical Center, Brenham Clinic, Brenham Nursing/Rehabilitation Center, and the Hospice Brazos Valley for their care of Mr. Gurka during his illness and their comforting support shown to our family. Services are in the care of Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham, Texas, 979-836-4564 http://www.memorialoakschapel.com.