Marvin Ray Hlavaty, Sr.

Funeral services for Marvin Ray Hlavaty, Sr., 76, of Huntington will be held Friday, March 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Lufkin with Brother Lamar Denby officiating. Interment will follow in Huntington Oddfellows Cemetery.

Mr. Hlavaty was born May 15, 1947 in Caldwell, Texas to the late Dorothy (Paul) and Charlie J. Hlavaty, and died Monday, March 18, 2024 in a local hospital.

Mr. Hlavaty moved to Lufkin in 1976 and helped open and operate Lufkin Pre-Stress Concrete. During this time, he worked to construct the structural concrete and main support beams for what is known today as Pilgrim’s Pride Lufkin Processing Plant. He then went to work for Moore Bros Construction Company in 1977. During his tenure with Moore Bros, he served as a construction superintendent until 2000 when the building division became a separate entity known today as Moore Building Associates Inc. Mr. Hlavaty served as a project manager for the company until his death and had given a cumulative 47 years of steadfast service to Moore Bros and Moore Building Associates. Mr. Hlavaty touched the lives of many subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, architects, building inspectors, and staff during his many years of service to the industry. Throughout East Texas Mr. Hlavaty constructed projects from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting. He had a hand in the construction of hundreds of facilities in East Texas that continue to serve our communities today. To name a few, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School, Timber Creek Church, First Presbyterian Church, United Pentecostal Church, Highway Missionary Baptist Church, Carroway Funeral Home, multiple facilities for Lufkin ISD, Hudson ISD, Pineland ISD, Angelina Savings Bank, and Angelina College. In September of 2001, Mr. Hlavaty headed up the construction of the Ellen Trout Zoo Hippo exhibit. At the time, this exhibit was only the second one in the nation that included an underwater glass viewing area. He also constructed the Giraffe, Rhino, and Cat exhibits for the Ellen Trout Zoo, all of which are state of the art habitat facilities enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. In 2001, Mr. Hlavaty headed up the construction of a new protype design hotel building for Holiday Inn Express Hotels in Nacogdoches. Because of his hard work, dedication, and the overall success of this project, customers requested Mr. Hlavaty to be the project manager for hotels in Center, Conroe, Carthage, and Jasper. Selflessly working to beat strict deadlines, often working through holidays and on weekends, Mr. Hlavaty always came through and delivered projects on time. Through his many years in the construction industry, he became fluent in Spanish. In addition to being a dedicated employee, Mr. Hlavaty never met a stranger, he loved his family dearly and loved teaching others about construction. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, especially taking them for rides on the lawn mower and tractor.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Sarah Hlavaty; children and spouses, Karen Hlavaty, Ken and Angie Hlavaty, Kathy and Mike Atwood, Kevin and Tara Hlavaty, Marvin, Jr. and Beth Hlavaty, Henry and Jami Nerren, and Justin and Staci Nerren; grandchildren, Joshua Hlavaty, Katelyn Hlavaty, Makenzie Hlavaty, Michelle Gonzalez, Thomas Atwood, Kayla Post, Dominic LaMagno, Peyton LaMagno, Reese Hlavaty, Brooke West, Emily Hlavaty, Hadley Nerren, Rhett Nerren, Wyatt Nerren, Emily Nerren, and Arinya Nerren; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings and spouses, James and Kitty Hlavaty and Pat and Keith Hardin; and a number of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Christy Nerren; son; Dustin Nerren; and sister, Rose Ross.

Pallbearers will be Ben Moore, Andrew Moore, Jeffery Griffith, William Wooten, Doug Myers, and Ronnie Burns.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Hlavaty, Kevin Hlavaty, Marvin Hlavaty, Jr., Henry Nerren, Justin Nerren, and Jerry Moore.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Highway Missionary Baptist Church, PO Box 848, Huntington, Texas 75949.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home in Lufkin.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.