Victor "Central" Vecera

Victor Vecera walked through the pearly gates of heaven to be with our Lord on July 15, 2022. He was born October 7, 1932 to Clement and Annie (Marik) Vecera.  Victor had two brothers Adolph and Clement, and had six sisters Eleanor, Beatrice, Lillian, Mary Ann, Edith and Judith.

Victor, better known to everyone in the community as Central, had three children with Doris (Pritchard) Vecera.  They are Bruce Vecera & wife Hollye, Pamela Beesley & husband David, and Sonja Vecera.  In the latter years of his life until his death he was cared for in his home by his daughter Sonja. Victor was never one to give up on anything, and he didn’t until the day that he passed at the age of 89.

Victor is survived by his three adult children; Bruce, Pam and Sonja, sisters; Beatrice Stelzel, Mary Ann Light, and Judith Rosentretter; 5 grandchildren, Trent wife (Whitney), Ethan wife (Alyssa), Madison, Sarrah, and Cody wife (Mica); 4 great grandchildren Brody, Brynnlee, Camden, Dutton and another one on the way.

Victor is proceeded in death by both parents Clement & Annie Vecera; two brothers, Adolph and Clement Vecera; three sisters Eleanor Vecera, Lillian Talafuse, and Edith Zapalac; and one great grandchild Cooper Vecera.

Born and raised in East Bernard Texas, Victor grew up in the farming community with his siblings and family.  His great Czech heritage upbringing was full of love and laughter and great happiness.  At the age of 18, Victor had an accident that left him with crippling disabilities.  He learned how to cope with those disabilities, and fought every single day to live life to the fullest.

Once married to his wife Doris and having children, they settled down in the small town of Waelder Texas and both worked for J bar B Foods for many many years.  Victor and family shared many years with the Janecka Family both in work related events and socially.  He considered Felix and Billie Mae Janecka as family, and they celebrated many great years together as he worked on their ranches helping out wherever needed.

After the family moved to Flatonia where the children attended school, the marriage between Victor and Doris may have dissolved, but the love they shared raising the kids was never ending.  Victor became known all over Flatonia and surrounding areas as “Central”.  If you need it, Central can find it.  He took pride and care of pigeons, chickens, goats, rabbits, sheep and countless animals until his very last breath. Those animals were his true passion in life.

Victor will be remembered as a man that fought everyday not only to survive his disabilities, but to gain so much more out of life than it had handed to him.  He never knew a stranger, and if you knew him, you knew you had a friend for life.  Old, middle aged, even the young kids in the community will always remember “Central” and he will be deeply missed not only by his family and friends but by the Flatonia community as a whole.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 21, 2022 @ Smith Funeral Home 4:00pm, with a rosary following at 6:30 pm. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 22, 2022 @ Sacred Heart Catholic Church 10:00 am followed by graveside service at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.  Gathering for lunch and sharing memories will be after the gravesite, back at Sacred Heart Church Hall adjacent to the church.

Pallbearers: Trent Vecera, Ethan Vecera, Cody Willoughby, Russel Kallus, Ron Beck Jr., and Kenneth Hanzel  Honorary Pallbearers: Kenneth Stelzel, James Talafuse, and Pete Orosco

Words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.smithfuneraltx.com

Smith Funeral Home – 128 E. 5th Street, Flatonia, Tx 78941             Phone 361-865-3311