August Joseph Krajcik

COLUMBIA - August Joseph "Gus" Krajcik died April 1, 2011 at the age of 92 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, AK. Visitation will held on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 6 until 8 o'clock at Shives Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, with the Rosary service at 7 o'clock. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia SC at noon, on Thursday, April 7, 2011.

Gus was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, July 30, 1918 to John and Vera. He moved to Chicago when he was two years old. As a young man he worked as a farmer. At the outbreak of WWII, he joined the Army Air Corps and was in the 306th Bomb Group, the first B-17 squadron to arrive in England. After completing his 25 missions as a tail gunner, he returned to the U.S. and was stationed in Columbia, S.C., where he met his future wife, Dorothy Dyson. Gus was then sent to the Pacific, where he flew as an A-20 turret gunner. Twelve months after beginning the campaign in New Guinea, they arrived at Okinawa and the war ended.

He returned to Columbia, where he married Dorothy in 1946 at St. Peter's Church. They moved to Elgin, IL, and later Barrington, where the family grew to include 4 children. After managing a large farm in Barrington, the family returned to South Carolina, where he served as a State Park Ranger for 15 years before retiring in 1981.

Devoted to his church, his country and his fellow man, he continued to work in his "retirement". Gus delivered Meals on Wheels for 25 years and was a hospital Eucharistic minister for 15 years. He was a life member and post commander in the VFW, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and a regular in the choir. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and was a member of the Legion of Mary. Gus was a devoted husband, father, Grandfather, and friend. To anyone in need, the saying was "Don't fuss, call Gus!". He desired only to be a good and faithful servant of the Lord.

Mr. Krajcik is survived by his sister, Amelia Krajcik, SSSF of Milwaukee, WI; his daughters Carolyn K. Coffey of Columbia and Dorothy K. Higginbotham of Anchorage; nine grandsons and eight great grandchildren. Gus also leaves many friends and extended family members whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his siblings John, Edward, Mary and Crucita; his son, Butch Krajcik, his daughter, Susan K. Hayes, and his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothy. ShivesFuneralHome.com 803.754.6290