Timothy A Duyka

Timothy Arthur Duyka, 83 of Wharton, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025 following a brief illness. He was born on January 26, 1942, in Wharton, Texas to the late Joe Duyka and Lillian Horecka Duyka. In addition to his parents, Tim was preceded in death by his brother Jody Duyka and his sister Sandy Wenzel, both of Needville. He grew up in Wharton and Hungerford, Texas where he excelled in athletics and academics.

Tim graduated from Holy Family Catholic School and Wharton High School. He attended Wharton County Junior College, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston – Victoria, and received his MBA from the University of Houston. He worked as an accountant at Texasgulf in Newgulf and Wharton for 50+ years and more recently he manned the drive-thru window at Hinze’s BBQ.

Tim met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Orsak at the picture show in Wharton when he was 15, and from that unexpected encounter, went on to form an unbreakable union and a life of togetherness. They married on February 2, 1963 in Wharton and fittingly, perhaps, he passed away on their 62nd wedding anniversary. The couple remained a fixture at church services, local picnics, and community events across the county. Recent years found them driving down the backroads and streets of the area, reminiscing about special days of their life together.

 Tim’s family and friends remember him as a cheerful soul, ready to greet you with a wide smile and hearty laugh. He was quick with a joke, a “Hey Sport”, “Young lady”, “Jak se máš”, or “tell me somethin”. He loved people, whether a family member or friend, a co-worker, or a customer; he never knew a stranger. If you were fortunate enough to sit and visit with Tim, you were sure to hear a story about his life, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, or even his latest road trip. He was quick to say yes to a round of golf and spent many days at nearby courses. He loved music. Tim regularly led the men’s choir at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton, filled his home with the sounds of good Christian and polka music, and danced long into the night with Mary whenever they had the chance. During his 40’s and 50’s Tim was an enthusiastic cyclist, he pedaled countless miles in training for numerous long-distance charity rides across central and southeast Texas. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served proudly on the board at Texasgulf Federal Credit Union.

 

He is survived by his wife, Mary and three daughters, Tammy Beck and husband Robert, Terry Hinze and husband Michael, and Trudy Durham; as well as his six grandchildren, Danny Beck and his wife, Caiti, Hannah Beck and her husband Riley Volkmer, Jacob Hinze, Libby (Hinze) Mica and her husband Nick, Elyse (Hlavinka) Schubert and her husband, Jared, and Eli Hlavinka; and six great-grandchildren, Felix Beck, Violet Volkmer, Emmarie Mica, Lainey Mica, Lana Schubert, and Holden Schubert. Tim made sure to attend many of their activities – tennis matches, symphony performances, baseball football and softball games, swim meets, soccer matches, and dance recitals. He cherished his grandchildren and was an active, influential person in their lives. All will deeply miss their PaTim, and his stories will carry on through them.

 

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association; alz.org or the Arthritis Foundation; arthritis.org.

 

The family will receive visitors on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Wharton Funeral Home starting at 5 p.m.; a Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. by Richard Zahn; and a funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Hungerford with Fr. Charles Dwomoh officiating. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery next to the Church. A BBQ lunch will follow at Hungerford Hall. Serving as pallbearers are Danny Beck, Jacob Hinze, Eli Hlavinka, Nick Mica, Jared Schubert, and Riley Volkmer.

 

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.whartonfuneralhome.com.