Vencil Joseph "V.J." Maresh Jr.

1949 - 2021

Vencil Joseph (V.J.) Maresh, Jr. was born in Humble, Texas on February 27, 1949, to Vencil Joseph Maresh and Mary Wesley Bell Maresh. He passed away at the age of 72 on November 28, 2021, at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, Texas due to complications of severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD).

V.J. enlisted in the army as soon as he turned 18. While stationed at Fort Sill Oklahoma, he met his wife of 51 years, Sonya Robinson Maresh. They lived for a time in Houston before settling down in the Flo community of Leon County where they raised their only daughter, Marquette Maresh Reddam.

A welder by trade, he worked on pipelines and in the oil field. V.J. was proud to say that he could weld anything from a broken heart to the crack of dawn and he was working on a banana peel. He was easily recognized by the high-crowned and colorful welding hats that Sonya custom made for him.

An outdoor enthusiast, V.J. took every opportunity he could to be outside. He spent his free time fishing and was an avid duck, deer, and hog hunter until he could no longer physically participate. Some of his fondest memories were duck hunting with his chocolate Labrador retriever, D.D. He enjoyed working with his hands, and in his retirement he made furniture from local cedar wood that he sourced, planed into boards, and crafted into tables, chests, and more. No matter what the pursuit, V.J. had a strong work ethic and dedicated himself to his interests.

V.J. was extremely proud of his daughter, Marquette, and two grandchildren, Ellis and Linden. His grandchildren brought great joy to his final days, and he always looked forward to their frequent Facetime calls and in-person visits to "the country." He would engage in cartoon marathons with Linden and enjoyed shooting the BB gun and talking about knives with Ellis. He deeply regretted that his COPD limited his ability to share his love of the outdoors with his grandkids.

Friendly and sociable, V.J. never met a stranger and was quick to offer help to those who needed it. He will be remembered for his big personality. Loud and free with his opinions, life with V.J. could be complicated, but through it all he was a man of honor who remained courageous and tough until the very end.

We are saddened for V.J. to leave this world, but we are grateful that he is no longer suffering. He is survived by his loyal wife, Sonya Maresh; daughter, Marquette Maresh Reddam and her husband, Paul of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Ellis and Linden Reddam; sister, Toni Hall and husband, Wayne of Hockley, Texas; brother, Danny Maresh of Humble, Texas; and sister-in-law, Pat Maresh of Elkhart, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends. The fourth of six children, V.J. was preceded in death by his parents, Vencil and Mary Maresh; sisters, Mary Jo Nevill and Cathy Turner; and brother Ronnie Maresh.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association.

Walters Funeral Home, Centerville, Texas was in charge of final arrangements.