Raymond Veselka

Raymond James Veselka, 88, passed away at home, September 21, 2016.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, September 26 at 1:00 pm at Oakwood Cemetery, with Rev. Fr. Theodore Tsitsilianos officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, on Sunday, September 25.
Raymond was born on a farm near Aquilla, Texas on October 10, 1927. He worked the fields with his father and brother, Bob, in his youth. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy during WWII, serving as a “fighting Seabee” on Okinawa. After the war, he joined the Army Air Corp and became a charter member of the newly independent United States Air Force serving a tour in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1967 after 22 years of faithful service to his country.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Mary (Bajer) Veselka, brother and best friend Bob; brother, Rudolph, Jr.; grandson, Stephen Veselka; and son-in-law, Jerry Heaton.
Raymond is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sammie (Norman) Veselka; brother Herman and wife, Judy; sister Margie Dickens and husband Wayne; and brother Billy and wife Janiece; daughters Beverly Heaton and children Carrie and Jason; Velinda Moody and husband, Steve and their son Ben; son Michael and wife Helene, and their children, Anthony, Michael and Amanda; 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dad was our family “hero”; his life was blessed, surviving great hardships during the Great Depression, but also a life full of adventures. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his Grandson Ben Moody as Daddy’s home care giver.