Alan Joseph Marek Sr.

Alan Joseph Marek Sr., 73, of Gonzales, passed away peacefully Friday, March 31. Alan was born June 2, 1943 in Gonzales County to Joseph Frank Marek and Hulda Minnie Gerold Marek.

Alan was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Alan earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Trinity University graduating with the Class of 1966. He had been a four-year letterman for the Tiger football and track team and he was Captain of the 1965 Tiger football team all of which supported the University’s decision to grant him a four-year athletic scholarship. He was a member of the ROTC program and the Bengal Lancer Fraternity.

Through the years Alan had earned many honors in various careers as he achieved membership in Ford Motor Company’s 300 Sales Recognition Club and he was a winner of Top 100 Sales Recognition trip to Las Vegas. Alan was President of the Gonzales Little League and Babe Ruth Youth League Association from 1966 to ’68. In 1967 he was appointed to the Gonzales Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors chairing the Highways and Public Relations sub-committee and he had organized and chartered the Men’s Softball Association in Gonzales and acted as the organization’s president. He was chairman of the annual “Come and Take It” parade for three years and had served as president of the Gonzales Noon Lion’s Club.

His list of endeavors and accomplishments continue with his extensive training in finance and management while working as a branch manager of AVCO Financial services to coach of the West Kerr County basketball and baseball teams. He served as Secretary and Vice President of the Ingram Independent School Board and later was recognized as a Foxworth-Galbraith Million Dollar Salesman. Alan was a certified personal trainer and had owned his own fitness center and held several positions in a number of companies before retiring from outside lumber sales with Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company in San Antonio due to illness.

Alan was a man of many talents and was always willing to give back in serving the community in which he lived however he might benefit those in need most.

Alan enjoyed fishing, hunting and working in his yard. He was a Master Gardener and found peace in working with the soil and watching humbly as his work came to life. Alan had a tremendous personality and a clever wit, obviously gifts he used to marvelous success in his sales careers through the years. No matter how dire things may have seemed for him at times, Alan always looked to the bright side of things. Within his soul he nurtured a remarkable faith in God that was unwavering and immutable. Amidst his own battle with cancer Alan lost his beloved wife Sandra Jane Ochoa Marek whom he had married on May 5, 1991 in Casa Grande, AZ. Deep within his heart he always felt that his illness would take him away from his beloved family first as he had reconciled that was the plan for his life. Life events did not always unfold as he had hoped or planned and Alan frequently looked to the “Serenity Prayer” which reads in part “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Alan concluded as Jesus prayed in Mathew 26:39 “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Alan Joseph Marek, Sr., accepted things he could not change and with tremendous courage and wisdom accepted the zenith of his life. He could humbly reflect that in his life, he most certainly left his footprint on earth and his fingerprint on the many hearts he touched along the way.

Alan is survived by his daughter and son-law, Tammy and Ralph VanCleave of San Antonio, brother, Walter Marek of Gonzales, sister-in-law, Colleen Marek of Harwood, grandchildren, Kaitlyn Corby (Josh), Kurt VanCleave, Karissa VanCleave, great-grandchild, Kinsley Corby, nephew, Clay Marek (Lori), niece, Carol Oakes (Kevin) great-niece, Katy Marek and great-nephews, Cody and Brady Oakes. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, son, Alan Joseph Marek, Jr., and a brother Clarence Marek.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 4 in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Ildiko Rigney officiating. Interment will follow in Gonzales Memorial Park. Pallbearers: Josh Corby, Kurt VanCleave, Kevin Oakes, Cody Oakes, Harold Grauke, and Brady Oakes. Honorary pallbearer is Erwin Ckodre, his fellow Trinity University Athlete. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday evening in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. In lieu of usual remembrances friends may make memorials to the Gonzales, Texas Relay for Life, c/o Patty Stewart, CFO Gonzales Healthcare Systems, 1110 N Sarah DeWitt Dr., Gonzales, TX 78629. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral home.