On Friday, June 18, 2021, Jerry Keith Hudec, husband, father, brother, and son passed away.
Keith was born in Pearsall, Texas on Feb. 12, 1974 to Jerry F. and Teresa Hudec. While growing up in Weimar, he enjoyed making cherished memories with his three sisters Jeanene, Christine, and Cheryl. Keith graduated from Weimar High School in 1992. During his senior year Keith met his best friend and future wife Vicki. Keith graduated from Texas A&M in College Station with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. He continued his education at Sam Houston State University where he graduated with a Master’s in Animal Science along with a teaching certificate in 1999. While at Sam he taught and touched other’s lives by being a teaching assistant.
Keith continued making an impact on others as an agricultural science teacher in Louise for a year. Then in 2000 when Keith became agricultural science teacher in Flatonia, Keith and Vicki moved back to Weimar. He left a lasting impression on all his students. The knowledge and passion Keith shared helped many find their own career path. Numerous students grew up to be welders, carpenters, mechanics, and some even followed in his footsteps. Keith continued to teach until he took a different career path as a meat inspector with the State of Texas.
Keith’s world and best friend was his son Jerry Taiton Hudec. Keith would light up every time he watched Taiton on the field, in the show ring, at judging contests, welding, building, and just being his right hand.
Keith could build and fix many things, from trailers to lawn mowers and four wheelers, to tractors and trucks, picnic tables, porches and on and on. He enjoyed and took great pride in his rural lifestyle, from the land to his dogs and cattle. He was so very talented and put his heart and soul into everything. Those who got the opportunity to know Keith would say “he was a good guy.” Keith was always looking for how he could help others. He left this earth helping others once more as an organ and tissue donor, a decision he made years ago.
Keith will forever be loved and missed by his wife and best friend Vicki, son and buddy, Jerry Taiton, by his parents Jerry F. and Teresa Hudec, sisters and brother-in-laws Jeanene & Jeff Goodwin, Christine & Jake Mulholland, Cheryl & Matt Pekar, in-laws Zeke & Linda Vacek and brother/ sister-in-law Lance & Wendy Vacek. He will be fondly remembered by his nephews Conner & Carson Goodwin, Paden & Wade Mulholland, Jace Pekar, Slade & Mason Vacek, two nieces Emmalyn Pekar and Kallie Vacek, as well as by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Keith was greeted in heaven by his grandparents, Henrietta and Herman Bednarz, Evelyn and Jerry R. Hudec, and grandmothers-in-law Josie Konvicka and Mary Vacek. He will be meeting grandfathers-in-law George Konvicka and Adolph Vacek for the first time.
Services were held on Monday, June 28, 2021. Rosary was recited at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Weimar at 1:30 followed by funeral services at 2 p.m., with Fr. Wayne Flagg officiating. Jordan Beeman, fellow student/friend, read the eulogy on behalf of the family. Burial followed at Hudec Farm in Weimar. Pallbearers were Saxon “Tad” Beck, Autry Futschik, Justin Janecka, Dr. Kurt Kainer, and Bryce Mica, all fellow students/friends to Mr. H. Also serving as pallbearers were cousins Allen Ray Konvicka and Justin Sturm. Taiton Hudec, son/best friend to his daddy, also served as pallbearer and driver to his final resting place. Honorary pallbearers were brothers-in-law: Jeff Goodwin, Jake Mulholland, Matt Pekar and Lance Vacek. Carson Goodwin, Conner Goodwin, Paden Mulholland, Wade Mulholland, Jace Pekar, Emmalyn Pekar, Mason Vacek, Kallie Vacek and Slade Vacek, all special nephews and nieces to Keith, also served as honorary pallbearers along with uncle Steve Bednarz.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg. Memorials can be made to Beyond Therapy of Schulenburg or a charity of one’s choice.