Edward Kyrish

1931 - 2021

Edward Kyrish
Houston - Edward Arthur Kyrish, age 89, died peacefully on Tuesday, the 1st of June 2021, at his home in Houston, Texas, surrounded by family. The oldest of five children, he was born in the Polish farming community of Cestohowa on the 6th of August 1931. After high school, he joined the former International Harvester Company, now Navistar, in 1950. He met and married the love of his life, Sydonia (Syd) Kotara, in 1952, and they raised six children. Ed served his country as part of the 36th Infantry Division of the National Guard.
Ed advanced through the ranks at IH, and the family moved from San Antonio to Corpus Christi to Austin and to Fort Worth for his various job assignments. As busy as his professional life was, he was always involved in his children's lives. Ed was one of a group of fathers who formed a girls softball league in Northeast Fort Worth, and he served on the Board of St John the Apostle Catholic School. Family camping trips and teaching his kids to water ski were important, but giving his children a religious upbringing and making sure Christ was a part of their lives was paramount. The family prayed and attended church together and that love of Christ continues today throughout his family.
After 26 successful years with IH, he purchased the Austin IH branch in 1976 where his sons, Duane and Wayne, joined him in the business. After six years in Austin, Ed was asked to take over the San Antonio location. In 1987, he acquired the Houston dealership and he and Syd made Houston their home. Over time, Ed and his sons continued to expand the business, growing Kyrish Truck Centers to nine truck dealership locations, a truck leasing and rental business, and the leading provider of school buses in the State of Texas. Ed was recognized for his excellence many times, including two-time National Bus Dealer of the year and American Truck Dealer of the Year in 2002.
Ed became the patriarch of International truck dealers across the US. He was a trusted resource for many truck and bus dealers throughout his career because he always offered a fair appraisal of any situation. He always told it like it was and was regarded as one of the brightest men you would ever meet.
Ed was an inspiration to everyone in the International dealer network. His passion for serving his customers, developing his employees who were like family to him, and representing the International brand with over 60 years of dedicated service was truly remarkable. He was an honorable man of impeccable character and a true gentleman. Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a good friend to everyone he met. Ed leaves a rich legacy, but will be best remembered for his devotion to his sweetheart, Syd.
Ed and Syd loved to travel with the many friends they made through the business, and they attended as many activities as they could for their grandchildren. Ed was an active member of St Michael's Catholic Church where he and Syd attended services until he was no longer able due to declining health.
Ed is survived by his large and loving family. His wife of 69 years, Sydonia; sons, Duane Kyrish and his wife, Kathy of Houston; Wayne Kyrish and his wife Johnnie of New Braunfels; daughters, Pam Chester and her husband, Dalton, of San Antonio; Beverly Quinn and her husband, Pat, of Taylor; Judy Bryan, and her husband, Mike, of Westlake; and Lori Haley and her husband, David, of Fort Worth; sister, Mary Ann Rollwitz and her husband, Leroy; brother Gene and his wife Janice. Ed and Sydonia were blessed with 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Bernice Kyrish; brothers, Marvin Kyrish and Leroy Kyrish; and his granddaughter, Julianne Kyrish Haley. The family would like to thank his caregivers for the extraordinary care they provided for the past two years.
The family gathered for a private funeral service and interment at St. Ann Catholic Church in Kosciusko, Texas.
Plans for a public Celebration of Life are pending and will be announced in the coming weeks. Please visit Mr. Kyrish's online memorial tribute page at GeoHLewis.com where friends may receive updated service information when it is available by clicking "Receive Notifications" on his page. Additionally, guests may share memories and words of comfort and condolence electronically with his family.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of one's choice.