Rudy Patek

Rudy Patek, 84, joined his Lord and heavenly family on June 7, 2023.
 He was born on December 13, 1938, in Shiner, to Charles Patek Sr. and Elizabeth Agnes Veit Patek.
Rudy married Beatrice Machalec Patek on June 14, 1959. Bea was the love of his life! He was a dedicated husband and father and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his lovely wife, Bea Patek; sons, Chris Patek (Carrie Kopech), and Doug Patek and wife Kim Fuchs Patek; daughters, Loretta Patek and Karen Patek (Amy Adams); grandchildren, Brian and Garrett Gorka, Amanda Gorka Goodspeed and husband Guy; Tyler Patek, Lindsay Patek Hackemack and husband Ryan; Blake, Adam and Kyle Patek; great-grandchildren, Guy, Grey and Graham Goodspeed; Austen, Bradie and Georgia Gorka; Kinsley and Leighton Hackemack; sister, Betty Patek Kocian of Shiner; brother, Dennis Patek of Livingston; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rudy is preceded in death by his parents; brothers,  Victor Patek, Charles Patek Jr. and August Patek; and sister, Helen Patek Matula.
Rudy attended St. Ludmila’s Academy Catholic School in Shiner and was very involved in his faith community. He graduated in 1957 and moved to Houston where he worked for Mosher Steel Company for two years. He then started his career with Baker Oil Tools (Baker Hughes) as a factory warehouseman from 1959-69. From 1973 - 2000, he worked as a Supervisor/Manager of Inventory and retired from Baker in 2000.
Rudy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish of Praha, Texas; Knights of Columbus Council #3244 of Moulton, Texas and a member of KJT of Shiner, Texas.
Rudy loved his Czech heritage and spent much of his time at the Joe Patek Orchestra dances, where his father and uncles played in the band. He has been a charter member of the Polka Lovers Klub of America since 1989. Rudy and Bea were King and Queen of the PO.L.K. of A. Chapter 1 and 36th Annual National Polka Festival in Ennis, Texas in 2002. He was also a member of the Czech Heritage Singers and Dancers of Houston. He loved dancing, singing, and listening to Czech/polka music.
He also enjoyed playing 42 dominoes and wahoo, boating, fishing, and camping with his family. His annual family camping trips to Inks Lake were a great joy for 50 consecutive years.
Rudy loved and cherished his extended family and friends. He will be greatly missed. HEEEYYYY! !
Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, June 11 at Shiner Funeral Home.
A rosary was recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Praha.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Praha.
Entombment followed at Shiner Catholic Mausoleum.
Memorials may be made in Rudy Patek’s memory to St. Mary’s Praha Endowment Fund or to Texas Czech Heritage Cultural Center (TCHCC), LaGrange, TX.
Services are under the care and direction of Shiner Funeral Home.