A.J. Cerny Jr.

Adolph Joseph (A.J.) Cerny, Jr., 81, of Shiner, was called home to be with Jesus, on Monday, March 17, 2025.  
A.J. was born on February 22, 1944, in Shiner, to Adolph and Mary Cerny, and grew up with his siblings, Felix, Gene, and Michael.
Adolph married Jeannette (Jan) Kral on July 27, 1968 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church by Rev. John J. Hanacek, who also baptized them both when they were infants. 
In 1968, he graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He graduated with a Master of Business Administration in 1975.  
He worked with Atlantic Richfield Oil and Gas company for 28 years.  He had an integral role in the development of Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay oil and natural gas distribution. 
Ending his tenure at ARCO, in New Venture Marketing he helped negotiate contracts with the Republic of China and Southeast Asia.  
He proudly served in the U.S. Army from June 1962 to May 1970, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.
He had a passion for flying, earning his private pilot license in 1971. At the age of 70, he was very excited to copilot a military jet. He enjoyed coaching soccer for his kids’ teams for over 15 years.  
He also loved boating, including driving patiently as Jan taught everyone how to water ski. 
One of A.J.’s greatest qualities was serving others including volunteering his time with the Knights of Columbus (he was a Grand Knight), Farm Bureau, 621st Mess Kit Repair Co., a eucharistic minister to the homebound and hospitals, and many other organizations.
He was extremely proud to spend time with his grandchildren, teaching them the fine art of driving the fields on the farm, the tractor, “fire in the hole”, launching model rockets, and fishing. 
He lived and worked striving to achieve a better quality of life for his family by the motto “persistence and determination alone are omnipotent”.  
A.J. is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jan Cerny; children, Dr. Michele Cerny-Leecock and husband Doug of Canyon Lake, Brian Cerny and wife Courtney of Prairie View, Wisconsin, and Nicholas Cerny and wife Heather of Spring; grandchildren, Jacob, Jonathan, Christopher and Annemarie Leecock, Anabelle and Donovan Cerny, Sage and Portman Cerny; brothers, Gene Cerny and wife Irene, and Felix Cerny, all of Shiner; in-laws, Georgie and Gary Hughes, Angie and Ron Paramore and Sandie Schreiber; and numerous nieces and nephews.  
He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Mary Cerny; brother, Michael Cerny; sisters-in-law, Agnes Cerny, Ann Schreiber and Cindy Kral; brothers-in-law, Jim Kral, Harvey Schreiber, Joe Kral and Ernie Kral, Jr.; and parents-in-law, Ernest and Annie Kral. 
The family received friends from 5 - 7 p.m. Friday, March 21 at Shiner Funeral Home, with prayers of the Holy Rosary at 7 p.m. 
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, with the Rev. Bryan Heyer serving as celebrant. 
Interment followed in the SPJST section of the Shiner Catholic Cemetery. 
Memorials may be made to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church General Fund or the Shiner Catholic Cemetery Fund. 
Friends may leave their condolences by visiting www.shinerfuneralhome.com.
Services are under the care and direction of Shiner Funeral Home.