John Jarosek

Remembering John Jarosek: A Life Well-Lived

John Jarosek was a man who didn't believe in wasting a single minute. Born in Thrall, Texas, on June 6, 1936, to Joe V. and Hattie Polasek Jarosek, John lived a life defined by hard work, a deep love for his family, and a neighborhood spirit that's hard to find these days.

A Career of Service and Dedication

John's journey of service began in 1954 when he joined the United States Navy. He spent most of his time overseas working on airplanes, eventually receiving an honorable discharge from active service in 1960. He continued to serve his country for another two years in the Naval Reserves.

Once back in civilian life, John stayed busy. He worked for Allied Fence and Austin Supplies before finding his rhythm in the dairy industry. In November 1963, he joined the Carnation Milk Company. Just a month later, they transitioned to Hillcrest Farms, where John became a familiar face as a milkman, delivering to the UT dorms and local homes. Following Pure Milk's acquisition, he expanded his route to include grocery stores and restaurants across the area.

In February 1979, John began his final career chapter with TxDOT (Highway Department). He started at Camp Hubbard before transferring to the Austin District Office in 1982 for facility maintenance. It was there that his coworkers affectionately nicknamed him "Yard Bird." He was famous for being the first one in-lights on and coffee brewed by the time anyone else arrived. But he was also the heart of the office; if someone was having a bad day, John would bring a rose from his bushes at home and leave it on their desk to cheer them up. He finally retired on July 30, 1998, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and many lasting friends.

Building a Family and Community

Life truly began to blossom for John when he met June Schneider on February 7, 1962. They were married on June 1, 1963, in June's hometown of Yoakum. Together, they shared 62 beautiful years of marriage. To this union, five children were born, and their home on Brinwood Avenue-purchased in March 1963-became the heart of their family life. John was a man of steadfast habits. He resided in his lifelong home, steered the same 1971 Dodge pickup, and clung to a landline number that hasn't changed to this day. Armed with nothing more than duct tape and baling wire, there wasn't a thing he couldn't fix. His daily uniform was as predictable as his character: a blue Dickies shirt paired with classic blue jeans.

In 1963, John and June joined St. Ignatius Catholic Church. As long-time witnesses to its transformation, they watched the parish grow from its original small site on West Johanna Street into the vibrant community it is today.

John's life revolved around the outdoors; he was a dedicated hunter and fisherman who passed down the craft of "working a deer" to his son. To him, processing meat and making sausages wasn't just a skill-it was a way of providing for his family. Over the years, countless hours were shared with friends and loved ones at various deer leases. These trips always culminated in a massive family affair: an assembly line of epic proportions where everyone pitched in to process the harvest and stuff the casings. If he wasn't hunting or fishing, you could find him in his garden. He could grow anything, and he would often nurse "dead" plants back to health and they would flourish under his care.

In retirement, John dedicated himself to his grandchildren. He was there for every milestone, caring for them from their earliest months through their start in school. He was a constant fixture at Dawson Elementary, walking his oldest granddaughter to school every single morning. At one point, he was even expertly caring for two infants at once!

Neighborhood Papaw

If you lived on his block, you knew John. He was the unofficial guardian of the street, walking seven miles every day and keeping a watchful eye from his front-yard swing. He lived by a few simple rules:

· Look out for others: He knew everyone on the block and had a key to almost every house in case of an emergency.

· Be helpful: He'd take out the neighbors' trash cans and bring them back in after they were emptied.

· Don't speed: He wasn't afraid to yell at drivers to slow down if they were moving too fast.

· Don't waste time: His favorite saying was, "You are burning daylight."

When he wasn't helping a neighbor, you could find him listening to Czech or Polka music, watching a John Wayne movie, or rooting for the Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys.

Family and Legacy

John is reunited in peace with his infant son, Scott (who passed at 9 days old); his parents; and his four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his wife, June; his children, Liz Liu (Darryl), Karen Jarosek (Angel Alvarez), Carol Jarosek (Jeff Buchanan), and son Joe (Ginger); and his beloved sisters, Hattie Coffman (L.V.) and Barbara Sutton (Montie). His legacy also lives on through his grandchildren: Ashlee, Brooke, Mallory, Scott, Karina, Gabriel, Sthephano, Haley, and Camille, along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services

Visitation will take place on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 5-7pm with Rosary 7-7:15pm at Harrell Funeral Home 4435 Frontier Trail in Austin, Texas.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10am at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. Burial immediately follows at Assumption Cemetery in Austin, Texas. Reception following burial at the American Legion Hall at 4401 E. St. Elmo Rd. Austin, Texas.

Pallbearers: Al Goertz, Randy Smith, Scott Liu, Sthephano Alvarez, Robert Jarosek, Rick Jarosek, Michael Schneider and Jeff Buchanan. Honorary Pallbearers: Daniel Jarosek, Jr. and all of John's grandchildren.

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A Note of Thanks The family would like to thank Dr. Chadha and the staff at Texas Oncology, as well as Hospice Austin, for their kindness and support.

Memorial Donations In honor of John's spirit of giving, donations can be made to the St. Ignatius Foodbank.