T.D. Pawelek Jr.

Thomas David (T.D.) Pawelek, Jr., age 86, of Falls City, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025, in the care of his loving family.
He was born on December 21, 1938, in Falls City, Texas, to Thomas David Pawelek, Sr. and Rosalie Morawietz Pawelek. He graduated from Falls City High School and married the love of life, Jerelene (Jerry) Ruth Mutz, in the St. Boniface Catholic Church, in Hobson, Texas, on November 26, 1966. They were married 54 years and welcomed four children and were blessed with grandchildren who affectionately called them Gran & Grandad, with two great-grandchildren on the way.
T.D. proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963 and then as an Active Army Reserve. When he returned home, he worked in the family businesses for a short time before being hired as a Postal Clerk at the Falls City Post Office. He was later appointed Postmaster with a total service time of 29 years. His wife, Jerry, became a rural route carrier during that time and together they enjoyed serving the families of Falls City and the surrounding towns.
Together, T.D. & Jerry dedicated their time to their family and their family businesses. They did everything together! Raising their children to be true to the blue, they never missed a football game, baseball game, or track meet. On Friday nights you could find him in the press box spotting for the Beavers and at every track meet filming. He was a proud Beaver and Aggie Dad & Grandad. He loved his Beavers, Aggies, and Cowboys!
T.D. & Jerry hosted many Christmas, Easter, and Super Bowl celebrations. They loved traveling with their friends to the rodeo, football games, and on extended vacations. T.D. was a competitive bowler and pool shark and loved football. On Sundays, you could find him barbequing and listening to Polka music. He cherished his Polish Catholic heritage and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
T.D. was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Jerelene Pawelek, grandson, Jared Michael Dziuk, Aunt Sophie Pawelek, Uncle John C. Pawelek, Uncle Pete and Aunt Lucy Krawietz, Cousins Mary Ann Krawietz, and John and Barbara Dillman, brothers-in-law Archie Jarzombek, Mark Mutz, Erwin L. Kramer, Jr., and Kasper Mutz, and sisters-in-law, Janice Krueger Mutz and Evangeline Mutz Buehring, and nephew, Virgil S. Mutz, Jr.
He is survived by his daughter, Karen and husband Rodney Dziuk of Falls City, and daughters and sons-in-law Taylor and Andrew Woodchick of Bulverde and Madison and Joshua Swierc of Floresville, son, T.D. Pawelek, III of Bryan, daughter, Marian and husband Chris and children Claire and Cameron Laskowski of Falls City; and son, Mark and wife Jill and children Tyler, Audrey, and Kaylee Pawelek of Falls City. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Almarene Jarzombek of Falls City, Ann Kramer of Karnes City, Helen and husband James Brysch of Hobson, and Judith and husband Tim Murphy of Kenedy; and brothers-in-law Virgil S. Mutz of Hobson, Sylvester E. "Lucky" and wife Carol Mutz of Cape Fair, Missouri, and Pat and wife Corinne Mutz of Adelaide, Australia. He is also survived by his dedicated caregivers whom he loved very much, Janie Martinez and Gracie Dunn, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, godchildren, family, and friends.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 am on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Falls City followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 am. The Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 am with Father Andrzej Waszczenko, SDS officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Tyler Pawelek, Cameron Laskowski, Andrew Woodchick, and Joshua Swierc along with nephews Erwin L. (Tripp) Kramer, III, Dirk Kramer, Michael Mutz, John Brysch, Jamey Brysch, Joseph Brysch, Nathan Mutz, Steven Mutz and Declan Mutz.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Tony Cione, Alan Zidek, Gerald Jendrusch, Tracy Jendrusch, Tommy Joe Jendrusch, Gene Cione, Fabian "Red" Sturm, Donald Hons, and Chris Soto
The family extends a special thank you to RN Caitlyn Thayer and her team of devoted nurses and especially Physical Therapist Chris Soto at Connally Memorial Home Health for their years of dedication to the care of T.D. & Jerry. Additionally, the family is grateful to New Century Hospice and the team of Kayleena, Tina, Andres, and Deacon Joe for their compassionate care.