Richard Williams Pezdirtz

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard Williams Pezdirtz, 74, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church with Father Joe Kannampuzha officiating. A reception in the parish hall will follow. Private inurnment will be held in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park Sunset Mausoleum at 3:00 p.m.

Rick Pezdirtz was born May 25, 1936 in Omaha, Nebraska to George Pezdirtz and Helen (Williams) Pezdirtz, and died Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at his Lufkin, Texas residence.

Mr. Pezdirtz earned his way through college (attending Stephen F. Austin State University, St. Edward?s University and the University of Wisconsin), working as a full-time sports editor for the Lufkin Daily News ? where he?d begun working in 1953 covering sports. His loyal coverage of the Lufkin youth baseball team is credited with garnering funds for the fabled team?s uniforms worn to the historic Pony League World Series Championship in 1957. His journalistic career, traversing newsrooms across the country, was interrupted by a stint as a manufacturer?s representative and owner of Pez-Tex-Inc. in Dallas. Finally, in 1983, retiring to his boyhood roots in Lufkin, he met the love of his life, whom he fondly called ""Joyful-Joyce"".

A life-long, faithful Catholic, Pezdirtz was a founding parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Lufkin. Among his achievements, Pezdirtz? biography featuring Father Fred Julien, M.S., ""Promises Kept: Memoirs of a Missionary Priest"", was published in 1996.

Survivors include his loving wife of 26 years, Joyce; daughters, Patricia Kotek and Tammy Salas; stepdaughter, Gina Parrish Davis; grandchildren, Beth Hanschen, Daniel, Stephanie and Patrick Salas, Cameron Kotek, Stephen, John Mark and Sallye Davis; and brother, George Pezdirtz. He was predeceased by his parents and brother, David Pezdirtz.

Honorary pallbearers include: Travis Ainsworth, E.C. Davenport, J.E. Driskell, Joe Geraci, Jimmy Hunter, Allen Lunsford, J.A. Millican, Joe Murray, Dr. Bob Rhodes, Gene Toigo and John Waak.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a Memorial Mass said in Rick?s honor, contributions to St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church Building Fund, 1611 Feagin Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904, St. Patrick Catholic School, 2116 Lowry Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901, or a charitable organization of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.