Cary Allan Oswald

Cary Allan Oswald nicknamed Zelz was born April 5, 1967, and passed away December 19, 2023, at the age of 56 years in an Austin hospice of esophageal cancer.
He was the 5th and last child of the late Ray and Artie McWhorter Oswald and had 2 brothers and 2 sisters who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his special canine companion Crissy who he loved and cared for over 18 years. Several nieces and nephews and many friends survive him along with his three special canine companions, Junior, Cid Cid, and Isabella. He loved these 3 faithful companions very much.
He graduated from Bellville High School and spent his entire adult life in Bellville. He worked for a mattress company in Brenham and then went to do farming and ranching, custom hay baling, and custom fencing with this work being done all over Austin County and surrounding areas.
He was also a self-taught accordion player with his favorite accordion brand being Excelsior and began playing in various polka bands. He formed the Lazy Farmers Polka Band and they performed at many venues in Texas as well as out of state for over 20 years. The last out-of-state performance was to Great Bend Kansas in 2012. One of his influences was Leroy Matocha and some of Cary's favorite tunes were Leroy's Special, Red and White Waltz, the Bandleader Polka, and Gene Autry's song, Tonight I'm Thinking of My Blue Eyes. He and his band also played for many fundraisers free of charge.
He loved to cook with some of his specialties being chili, stew, barbecue and his special barbecue sauce which he called gravy. He also loved to eat with one of his favorites being chicken fried steak. He loved to can and he was known for his sauerkraut. He would make it and give it away to friends as well as donate to church bazaar auctions. When land was available, he planted gardens, worked them and gave away the produce upon harvest.
He loved watching TV especially the old Westerns and Andy Griffith. He could talk to you about all of the old actors and shows for hours.
He also loved buying and collecting antiques (especially clocks and pocket watches).
He loved tractors particularly Farmall and if you had time to listen, he could tell you all about tractors. His favorite color was of course red.
Visitation and Funeral Service will be on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Knesek Family Funeral Chapel, 842 E. Main Street, Bellville, TX. Visitation will be from 9 am to 11 am with service immediately following in the chapel. Burial will be at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery, Bellville following the service.
Pallbearers are Anthony "Tony" Mucka, James "JC" Smith, Vince Garcia, Jr., Greg Zapalac, Gene Janis and Harvey Fajkus.
Honorary Pallbearers are Barbara Mucka and Cynthia Mucka.
In lieu of plants and flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Cary's name to Star Hill Veterinary Clinic, 957 E. Hill Street, Bellville, TX 77418