Thomas Hajek

Thomas (Tommy) Michael Hajek, 84, was born on April 29, 1941, near Shiner, to Tom and Lillie (Ludmila) Hajek. He entered eternal rest with his Lord on April 8, 2026. 
Thomas grew up near Shiner on his family’s farms. He knew what hard work was from a young age. At the same time, he had a creative spirit and deep passion for music. He went to Green School in Shiner as a young boy and graduated from St. Ludmila in 1960 as a young man. 
Thomas joined the National Guard in 1963 and served proudly for six years. In the summer of 1967 at the Praha Church Picnic, he found the love of his life, Angelina (Angie), and married her in June 1969 settling down on their own parcel of the American dream together. 
Thomas worked diligently at Kaspar Wire Works in Shiner for 42 years as a craftsman in his trade of welding. He sacrificed self-enrichment for the betterment of his family ensuring his son and daughter were able to attend Catholic schools K-12 and higher education after. 
He was an avid reader including the Bible able to spread God’s word in subtle but intentional and impactful ways. Showing his fatherly love for family and our great country, he drove across most of the United States on many summer vacations ensuring they saw God’s beautiful work while creating priceless memories along the way. 
In 2008 he and Angie moved from Shiner to Angie’s family ranch outside of Flatonia where he lived out retirement enjoying the beautiful outdoors. There was still plenty of hard work, but that began to slow down. 
He loved nature and truly taught others by example to stop and recognize its wonders. Thomas’ love of music was threaded throughout his life. He was never shy picking up his guitar to strum and sing, being capable of playing both a traditional six-string as well as a steel guitar. 
He believed in real country music that tells the stories of love and truth. He was a song writer at heart composing many of his own and eventually producing two full musical tracks “The Rose Entwined Around my Heart” and “Me and Mississippi” which he wrote and sang himself.
Thomas was a man of few words. The words he spoke were worth listening to - faithful, kind, humble, grateful, and educated as a well-read man. 57 years into marriage, Thomas still looked at Angie with love as if they were dating and gazed at his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren genuinely filled with delight. That is simply the kind of man he was. 
Thomas, who will be greatly missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him, was an extraordinary example of a husband, father, and child of God.
Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Angelina Hajek of Flatonia; daughter, Loretta Bell and husband John Lee Bell; son, Brian Hajek and wife Melissa Hajek; grandchildren, Thomas John Bell, Ryan (Alexis) Bell, Lillie Bell, Zachary Hajek and Jonathan (Arica) Bell; great-grandchildren, Asher, Archer, Margo, Lucy, Bennett, Bentley, Beckham and Hattie; siblings, Georgia Chumchal, Mary Koenning, Lillian Hosek and James Hajek; along with many other family members and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Alice Rangnow. 
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Friday, April 10 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia, with visitation and rosary held prior to services. 
Entombment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Flatonia. 
Pallbearers were T.J. Bell, Ryan Bell, Zachary Hajek, Brandon Koenning, Pat Chumchal and Robert Koenning. 
Honorary pallbearers were Jonathan Bell and Lee Bell.
Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the Shiner Catholic Schools. 
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.shinerfuneralhome.com. 
Services are under the care and direction of Shiner Funeral Home.