Daniel Franklin Schovajsa

Daniel Franklin Schovajsa, age 91, passed away on August 22. He was born on August 26, 1932, at his parents' home in Iowa Colony. He was the son of Frank Willis Schovajsa and Vlasta Agnes Maresh Schovajsa. Dan loved his God, his family, the great outdoors and the wild creatures that live in it, and his friends, in that order.
A lifetime resident of Brazoria County, he graduated from Alvin High School in Alvin, Texas, in 1950. While at AHS, he met the love of his life, Ruth Anne Welch, and they eloped on April 11, 1951. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in April of this year.
Dan loved the outdoors and found a career where he could spend his working hours outside. He started farming with his father Frank and his brother Erwin in January 1952. He would continue the family farming operation with the help of Bob growing up and his son-in-law Ray as a partner producing rice, cotton and soy beans and running cattle for 55 years.
Dan also followed in his dad's footsteps by serving on the Manvel Independent School District board from 1959 – 1975. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors for the Brazoria County Farm Bureau during the same time period. He was a charter member of South Park Baptist Church and later a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Manvel.
When he wasn't working or spending time with his family, Dan was still outdoors hunting and fishing. He loved deer hunting in West Texas and fishing for the big ones in Galveston Bay. In the later years when those hobbies became difficult for him, he took up birding and was known to spend many days at Brazoria Wildlife Refuge photographing birds and wildlife.
Dan will be lovingly remembered by his wife Ruth Anne, daughter Frankie (Butch) Hart, son Bob (Ann) Schovajsa, daughter Susan (Ray) Felder, and daughter Tricia (Greg) Byers. He leaves behind 14 grandchildren who all treasure loving memories of their Grandpa: Jesse Hart, Daniel Cooner, Charles (Becky) Cooner, James (Amy) Schovajsa, Steve (Shawna) Schovajsa, Dan (Jessica) Schovajsa, Rachel Schovajsa; Guy Felder, Kellie (Jennifer) Felder, Abbey Felder; Marc (Ashley) Byers, Alison (Dave) DeStefano, Eric (Shelby) Byers, and Neil (Erin) Byers. In addition, the next generation of great grandchildren got to know their great grandpa including Miles, August, Adam, Jack, Sienna, Elizabeth, Lincoln, Will, Ayden, Evelyn, Finn, Alex, Bryson (Alejandra), Karson, Morgan, Presley, Cami, Hadley, Avery (Hayleigh,) Cameron, Rylee, Sophia, Ashlyn, Winter and Kestrel Byers. A final blessing to this extended family was the birth of great great-granddaughters Iris and Emmalyn. In addition, he is lovingly remembered by his sister, Ruby Hanzelka.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 31, at 10 am at First Baptist Church in Manvel followed by a memorial service at 11 am. A private family burial will be held at a later time in the Manvel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer's Association at alzfdn.org.
Arrangements under the direction of the Scott Family, 1421 East Hwy 6, Alvin, Texas 77511. (281) 585-1000 www.scottfuneralhome.net