Ronald William Pivonka, age 68, trading his crosses for a set of wings, passed from this life on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, after a 10 year battle with prostate cancer.
Memorial services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2017, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, in Burleson. Mass and burial are 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2017, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and cemetery in Frenstat, Texas, near his father.
Ronald was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Bryan, Texas, the son of Herbert D. and Geraldine (Schoppe) Pivonka. He graduated from A. C. Jones High School in Beeville, Texas, in May of 1966. Ronald received his BS degree in Recreation and Parks Administration in May of 1970 from Texas A&M University. While at A&M he met the love of his life, Scarlette Kocurek, of Deanville, Texas, and they married on Aug. 16, 1969, in Dime Box, Texas. He was proud to be an Aggie and a family man.
Upon graduation from A&M, Ronald joined the Texas Army National Guard, serving for six years and attaining the rank of Sergeant. Upon his return from Army training, he began his career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, in May of 1971, beginning as a Lake Ranger, and moving on to positions as Lake Manager (Hords Creek, O.C. Fisher and Canyon Lakes) and Outdoor Recreation Planner in the District Office in Fort Worth, where he retired in March 2005.
Ronald loved his family and was very proud of his sons and daughter-in-law. He had a special bond with his grandsons, who referred to him as “Papa Ronald” and he loved them very much.
He was preceded in death by a son, Rett Paul; and his father, Herbert.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Scarlette; sons, Roy Patrick, and Ryan Peter and wife, Jennifer; grandsons, Luke William and Landon Ryan; mother, Geraldine; brothers, Thomas, Monsignor Leonard, Richard and wife, Carol, and Carl and wife, Laura; sister Janice Popp and husband, Jeff; as well as many other relatives and friends.
To honor Ronald’s memory, in lieu of flowers, enjoy time with your family.