Herman J. Rainosek

Our Dad, Herman Rainosek passed away on June 8, 2016 at the age of 89. He was born to Willie and Annie Cervenka Rainosek on September 26, 1926 and grew up in the small farming community of Hostyn in Fayette County. He is predeceased by both parents, an infant son Teddy Phillip, and his son-in-law James Campbell. His brothers Leon and Jerome, and his sister Edna Rainosek Vacek also predeceased him. Dad attended Catholic school through the seventh grade. When he was about 15, he enrolled in welding classes in Brenham. Upon graduation, his parents put him on a bus in La Grange, Texas, that would take him to the Houston ship channel. He worked there in a welding job until a buddy talked him into moving to San Francisco where there were supposedly more welding jobs and better pay. When he got there, he walked the streets for several days looking for a job and a place to stay. Until he could find a welding job, he became a bellhop at the Benjamin Franklin hotel in San Francisco, CA. Shortly after that, he heard the call of Uncle Sam and like most of those of the "greatest generation" believed it was his duty to join the military service. After receiving letters from his brother who was in the army, he decided he was not about to sleep in mud trenches in boot camp or elsewhere! He once again heard of the need of welders, but this time in the Navy. He joined that branch of service and proudly and honorably served his country as a baker aboard a transport ship. Before leaving for the service, he had met the beautiful dark-haired Dorothy Bartosh through his brother Jerome who had been dating and eventually married Dorothy's sister Evelyn. Dad carried her picture with him abroad and often pointed out to his fellow sailors that this was the girl he would marry when he got home. They were married in January of 1948 and that union lasted 68 years. Dad was a welder by trade, but he could do just about anything he set his mind to do. He always said that if any other man could build it, he could as well. He was also a great sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. We ate our share of venison, catfish, frog legs, and squirrel. In his retirement years, Dad always planted a vegetable garden and received great enjoyment from being able to give away most of what he harvested. He also planted many fruit trees and we will be enjoying the literal "fruit of his labor" for many years to come. Our Dad taught us wrong from right and many valuable lessons in our childhood that influence us even to this day. He hated when we lied or disrespected our elders and he disliked laziness and procrastination. He also taught us to be fair. We watched the way he interacted with others and he was an example to us of how to live our lives in the manner he instructed. If you asked him what the most important thing was to him, we are sure he would say it was providing for his family and he did that well. We didn't always have what we wanted, but we always had what we needed. We are grateful to him for passing along a stellar work ethic and teaching us the importance of hard work no matter what our profession. He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, son Daniel Rainosek of Needville, daughter Stephanie and George House of Lockhart, daughter Sharon Campbell of Sealy, and son Chris and Linda Rainosek of Needville. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., with a rosary 7:00 p.m., on Monday, June 13, 2016 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Needville. Burial with military honors will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. Tributes and words of condolence may be left for the family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas 77471, Phone: 281-341-8800.

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Herman J. Rainosek

September 26, 1926 - June 8, 2016