Joseph Henry "Joe" Krnavek Sr.

Joseph Henry (Joe) Krnavek, Sr., 83, of La Grange passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Joe was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on September 27, 1941, the fifth of nine children of Alfred and Marcella (Pavlasek) Krnavek. He spent the first 18 years of his life working on the family farm in Nueces County with his parents and siblings. He was a proud graduate of West Oso High School where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He was also very active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H. He married Patricia (Pat) Maresh on May 25, 1963 in Corpus Christi.
After their fourth child was born in 1972, Joe and Pat decided to get away from city life and moved their young family to La Grange. Joe worked as a local sales representative for Butter Krust Bakery and later Frito-Lay, Inc. He then spent 18 years working for the Lower Colorado River Authority before retiring in 2003.
Joe was an avid sports fan of La Grange Little League and La Grange High School, especially when his grandchildren were involved. He was also a lifelong fan of the University of Texas Longhorns, attended every home football game for more than 20 years, along with many bowl games and even a national championship game, as well as many baseball and College World Series games until his health made those trips too difficult.
He was longtime member and supporter of the La Grange Softball Association, and past president of La Grange Little League. He was well known as a local baseball and softball umpire and basketball referee, having officiated for more than 25 years where he made many friends and a few enemies, but never wavered in his drive to be fair and unbiased in every game.
Joe enjoyed life most when spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always ready to host a get-together with his growing family, and his barbeque pit never seemed to cool down as there was always another weekend to get ready for. He loved camping and fishing, and virtually any sporting event. He loved working on his little farm in Moravia, raising a few head of cattle, including the most beautiful longhorn steer named "Pretty Boy", and the constant shredding and cutting of grass to keep his farm a place of pride.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia of La Grange; son Joseph Krnavek, Jr. (wife Cathy) of West Point; son Peter Krnavek (wife Laurie) of Pflugerville; daughter Melissa Smith (husband Robert) of Leander; and son Charles Krnavek (wife Karen) of La Grange; eight grandchildren: Joseph Benjamin (Joey) Krnavek, Amanda Frank (husband Dusty), Caleb Krnavek, Emily Krnavek (fiancé Rohan Mathew), Joshua Krnavek, Chase Krnavek, Caitlin Smith and Connor Smith, four great grandchildren: Joseph Kole Krnavek, Lathen Frank, Landon Frank and Kambree Krnavek. He is also survived by sisters Nancy Schanen, Doris Dlabaja (husband Joe), Angie Hickman, and Marcy Schnelle, brother-in-law David Ferguson, and sisters-in-law Gertrude Krnavek and Sharon Krnavek.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and Johnnie, sisters Cecilia Cook and Betty Ferguson, and brothers-in-law Gilbert Schanen and John Cook.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations of La Grange with family present at this time to receive friends. A Holy Rosary and Funeral Service will follow at 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org), Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (czechtexas.org) or La Grange All Sports Booster Club (www.lgisd.net/o/lhs/page/all-sports-booster-club).
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl St., La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.