Henry Douglas Marek
Henry Douglas Marek, 78, of Nelsonville, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.
He was born to Henry H. Marek and Vida (Rinn) Marek in Industry on June 7, 1944.
His youth was spent in Austin County attending Industry school and Bellville High School, graduating in 1962. He attended Blinn College and Sam Houston State University where he received his BS and MEd degrees in 1966.
On June 4, 1966, he married the love of his life, Kay Lyth of Bellville. They made their home in Hallettsville for 17 years where he taught agriculture science. The years he spent in Hallettsville were very rewarding for him and he still has many friends and former students who he cherishes greatly.
In 1983, he and his family returned to Bellville where he taught agriculture until he retired in 2004. His passion was teaching high school students Agriculture and working with livestock. He enjoyed all aspects of the High School Ag program, but his favorite was training students in leadership and judging contests, especially livestock, meat, and poultry judging, in which he coached several state and national winning teams in Hallettsville and in Bellville. He had a genuine concern for his students and respected, admired, and appreciated his professional colleagues. Upon retirement, he enjoyed farming and ranching activities and substitute teaching, especially in the Ag department.
He was a member of Bellville United Methodist Church, the Ag. Teachers Association, Retired Teachers Association, Austin County Livestock Association. He served three terms on the USDA’s Farm Service Agency committee for Austin and Washington Counties. He was a member of the Austin County Beef and Forage Committee and served on the Austin County Fair Board for 21 years. While living in Hallettsville, he was Secretary of the State Championship Rodeo and served as the Chairman of the Hallettsville Jr. Livestock Show. He was inducted into the Texas Agriculture Teachers Association Hall of Fame in July 2022.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry H. and Vida Marek; father and mother-in-law, Bill and Tina Lyth; sister, Shirley, and brother-in-law, Bobby Plemons, and brother-in-law, Bill Lyth.
He is survived by his wife, Kay, of 56 years; son, Stephen Marek of Nelsonville; daughter, Melissa, husband, Ryan, and grandchildren, Kenzie, Haley, and Noah Mueller of Burton; brother, Jay Lee Marek and wife, Beverly of Mason; stepmother, Flora Marek of Industry; sister-in-law; Donna Lyth of Bellville, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation began at 1 p.m. and continued until 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at the Bellville Methodist Church in Bellville.
Funeral service followed at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24 at the Bellville Methodist Church. Pastor John Reasons officiated.
Interment was made in the 1861 Pilgrims Rest Cemetery in Bellville.
Pallbearers were John Lyth, Jason Marek, John Schmitt, Alan Kuehn, Aaron Maresh, and Mark Emshoff.
Honorary Pallbearers were Emil Schley, Rick Rose, Jim Batson, Philip Shackelford, Paul Cook, Rod Vincent, Jacob Diezi, Stephen Baethge, and the members of the Austin County Beef and Forage Committee.
Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to either: Bellville Methodist Church, PO Box 188, Bellville, Texas 77418 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 South Loop East, Houston, Texas 77087.
Arrangements were under the direction of Schmidt Funeral Home in Bellville.