Lawrence A. Hlavaty

Lawrence A. Hlavaty, age 78, of West, passed away early Wednesday evening, November 30, 2011 at Kindred Southwest Hospital in Ft. Worth. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Ed Karasek and Msgr. Isidore Rozycki as celebrants. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Mr. Hlavaty was born May 24, 1933 in Abbott, the son of Eddie and Annie (Kotrla) Hlavaty. He attended schools in Abbott and graduated from Abbott High School in 1950. On June 22, 1953 he was united in marriage to Evelyn Mashek in Abbott. Lawrence served his country with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return he worked for General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco for over 45 years before retiring in 2000. He was a devoted and faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. Lawrence was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4819, American Legion Post No. 478, K.J.T. Society in Abbott, and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 2305 where he was a 4th degree Knight. He enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, skiing, and dancing in his younger years. He also enjoyed gambling in Las Vegas and Wendover, NV. Lawrence especially loved spending time with family and friends. He was known to be very kind and generous and always liked to cut up and joke around. Lawrence is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bernard J. Hlavaty Sr. Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Evelyn Hlavaty of West; a daughter, Carol Baker and her husband Jeff of Chalk Bluff; a grandson, Derek Baker of Chalk Bluff; his adopted cat "Kitty"; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Derek Baker, Chris Mashek, Marc Mashek, B.J. Hlavaty Jr., Billy Pavelka and Anthony Vonasek. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West V.F.W. for the Wall of Honor or to the West Volunteer Ambulance Association.