Mr. Joseph Frank Skopik, 85, formerly of Caldwell, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Bryan, Texas, on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. followed by a Celebration of His Life at 7:00 p.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell.
Graveside services for Joseph Frank Skopik, will be held at the Frenstat Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in Frenstat, Texas.
Joseph was born in Merle on February 19, 1936, to Joe Skopik and Josephine (Mader) Skopik.
He grew up in the Snook community and attended school in Snook.
As a young boy, Joseph worked with his family farming the land. He soon developed a strong work ethic that remained in him throughout his life.
Joseph’s role in life was to make sure that his loved ones had the essentials and especially enjoyed gathering with the family to enjoy a meal.
After high school, Joseph married Dorothy (Hubenak) Skopik on April 26, 1958.
He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and went to basic training.
Upon returning home, Joseph and Dorothy had three daughters, Carolyn, Annette, and Melissia.
On June 14, 1971, Dorothy unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack.
Joseph later met and married Dorothy (Engleman) Horcica on May 17, 1987.
Family gatherings grew in size and led to many outdoor family volleyball games. Joseph enjoyed playing even in his pants and boots.
Joseph retired from the Burleson County Precinct 1 in 2011.
In his earlier career, he worked for the Bryan Furniture Factory. Joseph then went to work for Texas Thermatic and Siegert Heating and Air Conditioning. As the Oil Boom evolved, Joseph worked as an oil truck driver and then as an oil gauger for Mesa Pipeline.
Joseph was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caldwell and most recently attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church in College Station.
He was a kind gentleman who never met a stranger. He greeted others with respect, a smile, and usually a “howdy” accompanied by a little hand wave.
Joseph enjoyed riding out to the farm to check on the cattle and listen to some good country or Czech polka music along the way.
He also enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and Louisiana, not necessarily to gamble but to meet other people and enjoy the many great buffets.
Joseph’s friends and family will greatly miss his stories, anecdotes, opinions, love, and warm smile that he shared with everyone.
Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Hubenak Skopik (mother of Carolyn, Annette, and Melissia); wife, Dorothy Engleman Skopik; parents, Joe and Josephine Skopik; and one step-daughter, Lou Ferguson.
Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Carolyn Skopik, Annette and Dean Vescelius, Melissia and Michael Kovar; two stepdaughters and one son-in-law, Betty Hruska, and Melissa and Samuel Weichert Jr.; sister, Mary Macik; grandchildren, Ciara Yendrey, Tiffany Sodolak, Byron Turner, Justin Vescelius, Mia, Noah, and Avery Kovar; stepgrandchildren, Randy, Rickey, Anita, and Ted Leighton, Tim and Billy J. Hruska, Jonathon and Ricky Weichert; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers are Noah Kovar, Byron Turner, Patrick Fojt, Chris Fojt, Chris Yendrey, and Garrick Wheaton; Honorary Pallbearers will be Justin Vescelius, Curtis Sodolak, Vincent Svec, Rickey Leighton, Randy Leighton, James Prihoda, Curtis Schoppe, and Franklin Fillip.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Joseph to Amedisys Hospice, 3833 South Texas Avenue, Suite 200, Bryan, Texas 77802.
Express condolences at PhillipsandLuckey.com.