Leeroy Albert Janik

Lee Roy A. Janik, 87, passed away peacefully with members of his family by his side on Friday, June 14, 2019. Lee Roy was born in East Bernard, Texas, on January 27, 1932, in a home just down the street from where he spent the last 60 years of his life. He was the youngest of 7 children born to Emil and Sophie (Sindel) Janik. Lee Roy graduated from East Bernard High School in 1950. He attended Wharton County Junior College, and worked various jobs for the next 2 years before marrying the love of his life, Bernice (Andel) Janik on December 4, 1952. He was then drafted into the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and they spent the next 2 years at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. He was honorably discharged in December, 1954. While in the Army, Bernice gave birth to their first child, Thomas. Lee Roy then embarked on a 14 year career in the gas industry. He started out in Edna, Texas, and later moved to Missouri City, Texas, before finally settling in East Bernard in 1960. Dale and Russell were born in this time period. Needing extra income to feed a growing family, Lee Roy’s entrepreneurship led to the creation of Custom Aire and Refrigeration Company in the early 1960’s. Daughters Michelle and Renee joined the family in the 1960’s. In 1968, Lee Roy left the gas industry to work at the National Furniture Company in East Bernard. After 5 years, Lee Roy obtained a small business loan and used his wood-working skills and created and operated his own furniture company until 1979. Lee Roy conducted a massive home remodel in 1973-1974, concurrent with the furniture business. He purchased a 3 story home in East Bernard from Union State Bank and along with his 3 sons, demolished the home and salvaged the lumber and bricks for use in the remodel. Unlucky friends of his sons were often “drafted” to help in the remodel. As fate would have it, a gas controller position with UTTCO came open in 1979 in Missouri City, and Lee Roy would take that position and worked in the very same office he vacated in 1968. Lee Roy retired from the gas company in 1989 from UTTCO, but was not ready to retire. He continued to work his Custom Aire and Refrigeration business while creating another business (Tri-County Inspections), providing real estate inspections. He finally retired in 2014. Lee Roy loved family, fishing, following local sports team and TV polka shows. He was a hard worker and loved his wife and children. Many of his children’s’ qualities in life (strong work ethic, persistence, creativity and wittiness) can be attributed to him. He endeared himself to his grandchildren. He formed a “unique bond” with the grandsons by, let’s just say using his colorful way of saying things that captured their attention, love and respect. Lee Roy is survived by his wife of 67+ years, Bernice (Andel) Janik, 5 children, 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. They are son Thomas (Melissa) and their children Brad (Erin), Ben (fiancé Christen) and Allison (boyfriend Dylan), son Dale (Cammy) and their children Jourdan (Monica) and their daughter Emma, Courtlan (Shelby), son Russell (Donna) and their children Josh (fiancé Ashlin) and Amber Grimes (Ryan), daughter Michelle Mica (Brian) and their children Brent (Haley) and their daughter Sadie, Cassidy Wilkerson (Jacob) and Hallye (boyfriend Austin), and finally daughter Renee McElray (Mike) and their sons Jason and Garret. He is also survived by brother Charlie Janik, sisters-in-laws Martha (Andel) Janik, Joyce (Riha) Janik and Mickey (Spacek) Andel and brother-in-law Daniel Andel. Lee Roy was predeceased by his parents Emil and Sophie (Sindel) Janik, brothers Luis (Edith), Bennie and Edwin Janik, sisters Willie Mae Rieger (Charlie) and Betty Krenek (Joe) and sister-in-law Mildred Janik. The family expresses sincere gratitude to the many persons for their professional and comforting assistance these past 8 1/2 months, namely Julie Grissett, “Nae” Harrell, Berdie Moore and all other current and former members of Houston Hospice from El Campo. Services were officiated by Rev. Charles Otsiwah of Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, with interment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in East Bernard. In lieu of flowers, please make all donations in memory of Lee Roy to Houston Hospice, 1102 N Mechanic, El Campo, TX 77437, or to Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard. Services were handled by Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg, Texas.

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Leeroy Albert Janik

January 27, 1932 - June 14, 2019