1940
Richard Vitek
2014
Richard Vitek
August 30, 1940 — August 30, 2014
At 3:37pm on August 30, 2014, Richard Vitek passed away after a long battle with ALS disease at the VA Hospice Care Center in Temple, Texas. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 4, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 2000 Clay Ave., Waco, with Pastor Jim Price officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco.
Richard passed away on his 74th birthday. He was born August 30, 1940 in Waco to William and Clarice Vitek. Richard attended Waco High and was quarterback of his football team. He also served in the Army two years at Fort Bliss in El Paso. After serving in the Army he moved back to Waco and attended Baylor University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Richard also worked in the family store that later turned into Vitek’s BBQ and is still family operated.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, William and Clarice Vitek.
Richard is survived by his wife of five years, Nelda (Gibson) Vitek; her children, Billy Bridgewater and wife Linda, Cindy Gilreath, Sharon Hennesey and husband Chris, and Jeff Bridgewater and wife Devonna. He is also survived by his two daughters by his first marriage, Celia Hilbrand and husband Fred, and Janel McElhinney and husband Steve; sister Arlene Mladenka; and brother Bill Vitek and wife Susan. He is also survived by many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Fred Hilbrand, James Hilbrand, Bill Vitek, Eric Vitek, Steve McElhinney, and Bowen McElhinney.
Richard loved to dance at the Young at Heart and the Sul Ross dances. He never met a stranger and was always friendly with everyone. He was always smiling and brightening everyone’s day.
The family would like to thank the Veteran’s Hospital in Temple and the Hospice team for taking such good care of him during his stay there.
Richard passed away on his 74th birthday. He was born August 30, 1940 in Waco to William and Clarice Vitek. Richard attended Waco High and was quarterback of his football team. He also served in the Army two years at Fort Bliss in El Paso. After serving in the Army he moved back to Waco and attended Baylor University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Richard also worked in the family store that later turned into Vitek’s BBQ and is still family operated.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, William and Clarice Vitek.
Richard is survived by his wife of five years, Nelda (Gibson) Vitek; her children, Billy Bridgewater and wife Linda, Cindy Gilreath, Sharon Hennesey and husband Chris, and Jeff Bridgewater and wife Devonna. He is also survived by his two daughters by his first marriage, Celia Hilbrand and husband Fred, and Janel McElhinney and husband Steve; sister Arlene Mladenka; and brother Bill Vitek and wife Susan. He is also survived by many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Fred Hilbrand, James Hilbrand, Bill Vitek, Eric Vitek, Steve McElhinney, and Bowen McElhinney.
Richard loved to dance at the Young at Heart and the Sul Ross dances. He never met a stranger and was always friendly with everyone. He was always smiling and brightening everyone’s day.
The family would like to thank the Veteran’s Hospital in Temple and the Hospice team for taking such good care of him during his stay there.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Vitek, please visit our flower store.
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