Fabian Benjamin Pawelek

Fabian Benjamin Pawelek

(December 3, 1934 – June 26, 2024)

Fabian “Chewy” Benjamin Pawelek, age 89, of Alice, Texas, passed away into the arms of his Heavenly Father on June 26, 2024.  He was born on December 3, 1934, to Louis and Anastasia “Annie” Janysek Pawelek in Panna Maria, Texas.

Fabian graduated from Karnes City High School in 1954.  He proudly served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1963.  Fabian continued his education at Southwest Texas State Teachers College majoring in agriculture and minoring in science.  For a short time, Mr. Pawelek was a teacher at Kosciusko School in Kosciusko, Texas, and a school bus driver on the Poth route.  Fabian began working in the oil field industry and retired from Schlumberger Well Services as a Senior Operator with 33 years of service.  Long after his retirement, he loyally wore the blue coveralls daily, except when he attended Church.    Mr. Pawelek continued to work in the oil and gas industry until “fully retiring” in 2012.

Fabian was a talented accordion player (hence, his love of the Mollie B Polka Party program on RFD-TV); he enjoyed playing a few tunes at family gatherings.  A devoted Dallas Cowboys fan, Fabian NEVER missed a football game.  He also relished a “friendly” game of dominoes.  Fabian was a strategically capable Moon player.  He would comically wield fun-spirited bluffs with references to the widow and other pieces with terms such as a “Queen”, a “Beauty”, a “Honey”, a “Stinger”, and most elusively a “Fighter”. 

During his younger years, Fabian proudly contributed to the construction of the Panna Maria Hall; working with his dad and brothers by nailing down the wood flooring (that is still being “danced on” to this day).  He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus for over 59 years, joining on September 1, 1964.  Fabian faithfully ushered at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church (Alice, Tx) and St. Helena Mission Church (Helena, TX).

Always in touch with nature, Mr. Pawelek enjoyed farming and ranching and was an avid year-round gardener.  The last couple of years he was able to continue gardening with the help of his good friend, Vince Titzman.  Also, over the many years, Fabian raised thousands of bob-white quail, wild turkeys and ring-neck pheasants in his backyard in Alice.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Walter, Conrad (Ethel) and Alvin Pawelek; sisters Carolyn (Sam) Jarzombek and Tillie (Ermit) Urbanczyk.

Fabian is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean Buehring, of 65 years; sons, Francis (Letty) Pawelek, Randy (Debbie) Pawelek, and Gary (Belinda) Pawelek; grandchildren, Benjamin (Jackie) Pawelek, Stacy (Mariah) Pawelek, Zackary (Hali) Pawelek, Ryan (Kalin) Pawelek, Rebekah Pawelek and Emilie Pawelek; great-grandchildren, Braylen, Brynlee, Kamryn, Mayson and Lacy; brother, Lucian (Carleen) Pawelek; and canine buddy, Bo.    He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews that he cherished.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, June 28,2024 at Holmgreen Mortuary in Alice, Texas.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 6:00 PM.

On Saturday, June 29, 2024, visitation will begin at 8:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Panna Maria, Texas.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in the Panna Maria Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Benjamin Pawelek, Stacy Pawelek, Ryan Pawelek, Daryl Pawelek, Brian Pawelek and Ronnie Urbanczyk. 

Services are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com

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