Gary Drastata

Gary Joe Drastata, age 65, of El Campo, passed away on March 21, 2023. He was born on October 30, 1957 in El Campo to Frank and Anita Koudelka Drastata and grew up in New Taiton. His country heritage was always an important part of his life, starting from a very early age helping his dad in the rice fields and his mom and dad on the farm. Gary was a rancher all of his life and took pride and joy in his cattle and the ranch home and land that he built and worked from the ground up. He was also employed by Centerpoint Energy (Entex) for 20 years, was a commercial driver for Zbranek Trucking for 3 years and worked for Wharton County Precinct 4 as a Road Bridge and Equipment Operator for 15 years. Gary was hard working, humble, and never hesitated to lend a hand or give good advice to his family and others. He was a problem solver and always found ways around the challenges that arose as his illness progressed. He so fully embodied the characteristics of quiet strength, love of family, kindness and dedication.
He is survived by his mother Anita Drastata; sisters, Patricia Reck and husband Joseph, Janie Probst, Monica Drastata and Kerry Frisbie, Sandra Grosvenor and husband Mark; brother Richard Drastata; fiancé Julie Kramer and her daughter Casey; his nieces and nephews, Christine Gauger and husband Nathan, Jeffrey Reck and wife Amy, Kenneth Reck and wife Alisha, Melinda Russell and husband Jason, Amanda Le Probst and husband Luc, Heather Probst, Ciara Frisbie, Katelyn Grosvenor, Andrew Grosvenor, David Grosvenor; and many great nieces and nephews.
Gary is preceded in death by his father Frank Drastata and brother Patrick Drastata.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm, Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Triska Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 1:00 pm, Saturday followed by funeral services at 1:30 pm at the funeral home with Deacon Jerome Grahmann officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery in New Taiton.
Pallbearers will be Kerry Frisbie, Andrew Grosvenor, Mark Grosvenor, Randy Kubecka, Jeffrey Reck, Kenneth Reck, Jason Russell and Brad Tupa. Honorary pallbearer will be Victor Gonzales.
Memorial donations may be made to St. John's Catholic Church, 1843 CR 469, El Campo, Tx 77437, Arias In Home Care, 2408 9th St., Bay City, Tx 77414, or Houston Hospice-El Campo, PO Box 1417, El Campo, Tx 77437.
Triska Funeral Home, El Campo, 979-543-3681