Felix Korfanty

Family, Friends and Fellow Boomers,

We bring you news with bittersweet emotions: sadness and compassion for those of us who are suffering the grief of loss, and overwhelming joy for what our Felix must be experiencing as he stands before the Lord.

On October 24, 2025, Felix Korfanty passed away peacefully at his home, in the arms of his loving wife, “Yolie!”, having spent 88 years on God’s earth.

Felix leaves a rich Polish family legacy of love, service, and accomplishments.

Felix’s grandfather, Wojciech Korfanty, was a prominent Polish activist, journalist, and politician. Felix, on behalf of his grandfather, posthumously received the Order of the White Eagle (Poland’s most prestigious civilian award) from the then President of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski. Wojciech Korfanty received the “Order” for leading an armed uprising in May 1921 sparked by reports of plans to grant most of the industrialized part of Upper Silesia to Germany (pursuant to the Treaty of Versailles, 1919). As a result of his leadership, Poland obtained almost exactly half of the 1,950,000 inhabitants (965,000) of the region, and 49 out of 61 coal mines critical to Poland’s economy.

Felix was born in Katowice, Poland, on December 28, 1936. When he was three years old, Hitler invaded Poland, and because of Felix’s grandfather’s involvement in politics, Felix was forced to escape with his mother, Eugena, and twin brother, Al (Wojciech), to Vatican City, where they had a Polish Consulate. Felix’s father, Zbigniew Korfanty, relocated to England to help with the Polish Army’s Allied resistance. Meanwhile, the Korfanty's landed in New York where Felix and Al spent their early childhood. The Korfanty's then relocated to Dallas, Texas, which was their adopted home for the rest of their lives.

After Felix graduated from high school in Dallas, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the armed forces, the United States Air Force branch. He attended basic training at Lackland AFB, near San Antonio, and then was transferred to Amarillo AFB to attend aircraft mechanic school where he trained for his new military life and duties. Felix was stationed for three years in Fukuoka, Japan, on the southern island of Kishu-Kaido as an aircraft mechanic.

For four years Felix was stationed at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. In 1962, he was presented with the SAC Outstanding Organizational Maintenance Squadron award. Felix continued in the military and was next stationed in Wichita Falls, Texas, and then at Rantoul AFB, Illinois, where he completed two years of education in his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Afterward, Felix was transferred to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, where he joined the 321st Strategic Missile Wing as a ballistic missile analyst and technician.

When Felix received the opportunity to attend KC-135 Boom Operator school at Castle AFB, California, while being stationed at Vandenberg AFB, he took it! After graduation, his assignment relocated him to Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana, in the 6th ACCS Strategic Air Command. He was given multiple six-month assignments providing refueling support to the bombers and fighters over Vietnam from a royal air force base near Sadohip, Thailand, and Clark AFB near Angeline City in the Philippines.

He served a four-year tour in Mildenhall, England, as a Master Sargeant where he joined a KC-135 crew in the 10th ACCS Strategic Air Command. Returning to the United States, he was stationed at Langley AFB in Hampton/New Port News, Virginia, in the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing. Felix retired from that position and the United States Air Force in October 1980; and, while continuing his industrial engineer degree, was hired by Abbott Laboratories, as an industrial engineer with an emphasis in programming robotics. After 17 years, he retired from Abbott and went to work for Corning Incorporated at its Keller, Texas branch as an automation technician until his final retirement.

Almost every weekend, Felix and family participated in various runs and bike rides throughout Texas with his first being the 1987 Turkey Trot. He, with family and friends, also rode in the Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred bike ride in Wichita Falls, Texas, for ten consecutive years. The ride path went through the Shepard AFB’s flightline and brought back nostalgic memories of the base for him. Felix finished three White Rock marathons with his best time of 4.51 hours. He also ran in numerous Tulsa Run 15Ks. He was awarded medals and trophies, too numerous to count, during his participation, and he always made it a quality-time family affair!

Felix also loved world travel. He enjoyed over 60 cruises, traveled to countless foreign countries, and revisited Poland many times for his family, history, and pleasure.

We will always remember his quick jokes, his tellings of a good story, his zeal for living life and his adventurous spirit. He was always happy that you got to see him!

Felix is preceded in death by his parents, Zbigniew and Eugena, twin brother, Al, and son, Christopher. He is survived by his loving wife, Yolanda Castillon Korfanty; daughters: Felicia Janine and her husband Thomas, Leticia and her partner Ross, and Gina and her husband Mark; sons: Lincoln and his wife Vernice, Dean and his wife Jennifer, and Henry Phillip and his partner Adrienne; grandsons: Brandon, Lincoln Jr., Keilan, Elias; Vincent, and Victor; granddaughters: Gracen, Lilly, Primrose, Natalie, and Kaitlyn; niece Melissa and her husband James and their son Aiden; and nephew Michael and his wife Honorata; and best forever friends: Ray and Coleman.

Thank you to Danny, Malory, Paul, Stacy, Cindy (Nurse Manager), and Jacob for their gentle care of Felix in his last days with Guiding Light Hospice. Our appreciation also goes to the Volunteer Program team—Tammy and Maria—and to Drs. Vijay Gunuganti, Timothy Dziuk, Shalin Patel, and Fad Almohid for their generous and compassionate care.

We invite you to join Felix's memorial service on November 17, 2025, with a Mass at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, then proceed to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for a graveside interment with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. John Neumann Catholic Church or to the Department of Veterans Affairs are gratefully appreciated.

If you knew Felix and would like to leave a message for his family, please visit: *https://www.legacy.com*.

Fallen Limb

A limb has fallen from the family tree.

I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me.”

Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.

Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you.

Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.

My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.

Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.

Continue traditions, no matter how small.

Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls.

I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.

Until the day comes we’re together again.

This Warrier was one of the giants in our field and now his mission is complete, Boom Stowed, rest in Peace Brother!