Thomas Joseph Darilek
Thomas Joseph Darilek, 65, of Flatonia, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023.
Thomas, “Tom,” was born on Jan. 12, 1958 in Houston to Rudolph and Celestine Darilek.
He attended Lamar High School and played football and baseball, where he excelled on the football field starting at running back and linebacker. He worked at his dad’s JMH grocery stores when he was young and went on to build his own company, Third Planet
Construction in Houston which he continued to drive to daily after moving to Flatonia.
Thomas met his wife, Debbie McBride, at the Schulenburg Festival in August of 1979. They married in Schulenburg on Nov. 10, 1984, and made their first home above the West U JMH#3 store. From there, they moved to a house in Meyerland, which they made their home and began to raise their three children: Dylan Matthew, Ryland Elise, and Brenna Anne.
As their children started to grow, Debbie and Tom knew they wanted to return to the country.
In 1996, the family bought 207 acres in between Flatonia and Moulton and moved into their house in 1999. This farm was special for Tom and his family. Always An Adventure or Triple A Farm, was the name Tom gave to their 207 acres and it was his pride and joy. Tom loved farm life and worked hard to care for the animals and make it a home for his family.
Any time Tom was not working, you could find him enjoying coffee on the porch; making sausage in his sausage plant; tinkering with his antique finds; cooling off in his self-designed pool; attending an Astros game; or enjoying the company of family and friends. Those who visited him could see his vast array of collectables, which included vintage stereos, eight-tracks, classic cars, and a multitude of beer signs. He loved going to estate sales, bi-annual antique shows and beer sign shows. He also had a love for music, especially polkas and hardly missed a chance to dance to his favorites.
Tom was a loving husband, amazing dad and a hard worker. He had an easy going, carefree attitude, finding the light and humor in every situation and being one-of-a-kind. Family was a priority to him, dropping his work on the farm to help out his children, attend celebrations and enjoy making memories with family. He absolutely adored his granddaughter, Darcie Kansteiner. He enjoyed caring for and playing with her as well as taking a step back to watch her grow.
Tom had a saying he would tell anyone, from a stranger to his oldest friend...Be Somebody!
Pallbearers were his niece and nephews: Jonathon Rohlfing, Brian Dunlavy, Dan Darilek, Matt Nowak, Phillip Nowak, Jennifer Darilek, Charlie Stevenson, Bart McBride, and Kaz McBride.
Honorary pallbearers were special friends and family who meant so much to Thomas: Darcie Kansteiner, Kes McBride, Amy Hunter, Sheridan Fisher, Blake Parish, Michael Veselka, Andrew Gertner, William Blackmon, and Mary Hoffman Fisher.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Debbie McBride Darilek; sons, Dylan Darilek and Austin Weger; daughter, Ryland Darilek-Jones and husband, Nicholas; daughter, Brenna Kansteiner and husband, Christopher; granddaughters, Darcie and Millie Kansteiner and one grandchild on the way, baby Jones due in December. He is also survived by his siblings, Rose Rohlfing, JoAnn Dunlavy and husband, Rick, Henry Darilek and wife, Genie, Cora Nowak and husband, Ted, Marjorie Nowak, David Darilek and wife, Nan, and brother-in-law Terry Stevenson.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Celestine Darilek; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Leroy and Georgia McBride; sister, Joyce Stevenson, and brother-in-law, Mike Nowak.
A prayer service was held on Friday, July 14 at Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 15 at St. Rose Catholic Church. Father Luke Prihoda officiated. Music was provided by Kari Ginn.