Roll Call Tribute
James "Jim" Baletka '77 January 30, 2017 9:35 AM updated: January 30, 2017 3:13 PM
Hillier Funeral Home - College Station obituary
4080 State Hwy 6 South
College Station, TX 77845
(979) 985-2060
James "Jim" Baletka
August 30, 1955 - January 28, 2017
James (Jim) Craig Baletka
August 30, 1955 – January 28, 2017
James (Jim) Craig Baletka completed his earthly journey and went to join his Lord on January 28, 2017. He was born to William John Baletka, Jr. and Joyce Siptak Baletka in Temple, Texas, where his father was the minister of the Brethren Church. As a youngster, he enjoyed spending time playing sports with the neighbor kids and became a nature lover while visiting his grandparents’ farms in Rosebud and Caldwell. Dear to Jim’s heart was his public profession of faith to follow Jesus Christ, made while attending the Hus Encampment.
Jim attended Lanier High School in Austin where he was active in the marching and symphony bands. He also delivered morning papers in his neighborhood-an entire family enterprise that included his parents folding and dropping off papers at designated locations along the route and his brother splitting the very large route. After the papers were delivered, he had to hurry to participate in before-school marching band practice.
Jim received his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics from Texas A&M in 1977 and began his professional career as a bank loan officer and real estate appraiser in Victoria. Later, he moved to Austin and purchased a bar-b-q restaurant. His love of A&M led him back to College Station as member of the University Housing staff followed by employment at On-Line Real Estate.
Jim met his wife, Dawn Marie, through mutual friends on a blind date. Although Jim had remained a bachelor well into his forties, on May 1, 1999 he married Dawn Marie Zak Hayes at the Hus Encampment and became both a Husband and a Dad. His children (Megan, Brynn, and Michael) meant the world to him. He taught them to fish, and to hunt, and play dominoes. But more importantly, he taught them to love, to be thankful, and to have a giving heart.
The family lived in College Station where Jim was always close by to his beloved Texas A&M Aggies where he could cheer on their victories and lament each defeat. No matter the sport, the Baletka family schedule was arranged so that Jim was in the stands, doing his part as a member of the 12th Man.
Jim was a man of great faith and greater love. He enjoyed the simple things of life: being with friends and family, fishing, hunting, and witnessing God’s handiwork in a quiet sunrise or sunset. Jim was passionate about many things in life but especially about helping others in any way he could and the power of prayer in music. Jim was proud of his heritage and that was evident in his life-long love of with good BBQ, sausage, and kolaches. He was an expert on good food, and his stamp of approval was as valid as any great food critic.
Jim held many roles in life, son, brother, husband, father, friend… but there are two that meant more than any others. The first is that he was a Christian man who placed God and Family above all else. The second, is best said from the slogan on his favorite non-Aggie T-Shirt, “There Aren’t Many Things I Love More Than FISHING, But One of Them is Being PAPA”. Being PaPa to John Wayne, Nolyn and Peyton brought joy and happiness to Jim beyond any measure. The sound of their voices or a glimpse of their faces overwhelmed Jim with love each and every time.
Some men talk about faith – Jim lived his. Some profess love – Jim inspired it. Some claim honor – Jim gave it to all he met.
Jim is preceded in death by his father, John; brother, Bill; and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Dawn Marie, and their daughters Megan Elizabeth Bright, Brynn Victoria Biggs and son-in-law Chris Biggs, son P. Michael Hayes along with grandson John Wayne Bright and granddaughters Nolyn Elizabeth and Peyton Faith Biggs. Also surviving is his mother, Joyce, as well as brother Mark Baletka and his wife Susan and numerous relatives and close friends.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the Bryan/College Station Brethren Church located at 2650 Earl Rudder Freeway South in College Station. Funeral services will be held at the church on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hus Encampment (Church camp) c/o Todd Corporon, 210 Phillips St., Hutto, TX 78634.
Visitation
JAN 31. 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Bryan/College Station Brethren Church
2650 Earl Rudder Freeway
College Station, TX, US
Celebration of Life
FEB 1. 10:00 AM
Bryan/College Station Brethren Church
2650 Earl Rudder Freeway
College Station, TX, US
Cemetery Details
Aggie Field of Honor
3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway
College Station, TX,
http://fieldofhonor.cstx.gov/index.asp
___________________________________________________________________________
(Published in) The (Bryan-College Station) Eagle (on) January 30, 2017
Baletka, James (Jim) Craig
August 30,1955 - January 28, 2017
James (Jim) Craig Baletka completed his earthly journey and went to join his Lord, and Savior, on January 28, 2017. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the Bryan/College Station Brethren Church located at 2650 Earl Rudder Freeway South in College Station. Funeral services will be held at the church on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 10 am.
4080 State Hwy 6 South
College Station, TX 77845
(979) 985-2060
James "Jim" Baletka
August 30, 1955 - January 28, 2017
James (Jim) Craig Baletka
August 30, 1955 – January 28, 2017
James (Jim) Craig Baletka completed his earthly journey and went to join his Lord on January 28, 2017. He was born to William John Baletka, Jr. and Joyce Siptak Baletka in Temple, Texas, where his father was the minister of the Brethren Church. As a youngster, he enjoyed spending time playing sports with the neighbor kids and became a nature lover while visiting his grandparents’ farms in Rosebud and Caldwell. Dear to Jim’s heart was his public profession of faith to follow Jesus Christ, made while attending the Hus Encampment.
Jim attended Lanier High School in Austin where he was active in the marching and symphony bands. He also delivered morning papers in his neighborhood-an entire family enterprise that included his parents folding and dropping off papers at designated locations along the route and his brother splitting the very large route. After the papers were delivered, he had to hurry to participate in before-school marching band practice.
Jim received his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics from Texas A&M in 1977 and began his professional career as a bank loan officer and real estate appraiser in Victoria. Later, he moved to Austin and purchased a bar-b-q restaurant. His love of A&M led him back to College Station as member of the University Housing staff followed by employment at On-Line Real Estate.
Jim met his wife, Dawn Marie, through mutual friends on a blind date. Although Jim had remained a bachelor well into his forties, on May 1, 1999 he married Dawn Marie Zak Hayes at the Hus Encampment and became both a Husband and a Dad. His children (Megan, Brynn, and Michael) meant the world to him. He taught them to fish, and to hunt, and play dominoes. But more importantly, he taught them to love, to be thankful, and to have a giving heart.
The family lived in College Station where Jim was always close by to his beloved Texas A&M Aggies where he could cheer on their victories and lament each defeat. No matter the sport, the Baletka family schedule was arranged so that Jim was in the stands, doing his part as a member of the 12th Man.
Jim was a man of great faith and greater love. He enjoyed the simple things of life: being with friends and family, fishing, hunting, and witnessing God’s handiwork in a quiet sunrise or sunset. Jim was passionate about many things in life but especially about helping others in any way he could and the power of prayer in music. Jim was proud of his heritage and that was evident in his life-long love of with good BBQ, sausage, and kolaches. He was an expert on good food, and his stamp of approval was as valid as any great food critic.
Jim held many roles in life, son, brother, husband, father, friend… but there are two that meant more than any others. The first is that he was a Christian man who placed God and Family above all else. The second, is best said from the slogan on his favorite non-Aggie T-Shirt, “There Aren’t Many Things I Love More Than FISHING, But One of Them is Being PAPA”. Being PaPa to John Wayne, Nolyn and Peyton brought joy and happiness to Jim beyond any measure. The sound of their voices or a glimpse of their faces overwhelmed Jim with love each and every time.
Some men talk about faith – Jim lived his. Some profess love – Jim inspired it. Some claim honor – Jim gave it to all he met.
Jim is preceded in death by his father, John; brother, Bill; and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Dawn Marie, and their daughters Megan Elizabeth Bright, Brynn Victoria Biggs and son-in-law Chris Biggs, son P. Michael Hayes along with grandson John Wayne Bright and granddaughters Nolyn Elizabeth and Peyton Faith Biggs. Also surviving is his mother, Joyce, as well as brother Mark Baletka and his wife Susan and numerous relatives and close friends.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the Bryan/College Station Brethren Church located at 2650 Earl Rudder Freeway South in College Station. Funeral services will be held at the church on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hus Encampment (Church camp) c/o Todd Corporon, 210 Phillips St., Hutto, TX 78634.
Visitation
JAN 31. 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Bryan/College Station Brethren Church
2650 Earl Rudder Freeway
College Station, TX, US
Celebration of Life
FEB 1. 10:00 AM
Bryan/College Station Brethren Church
2650 Earl Rudder Freeway
College Station, TX, US
Cemetery Details
Aggie Field of Honor
3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway
College Station, TX,
http://fieldofhonor.cstx.gov/index.asp
___________________________________________________________________________
(Published in) The (Bryan-College Station) Eagle (on) January 30, 2017
Baletka, James (Jim) Craig
August 30,1955 - January 28, 2017
James (Jim) Craig Baletka completed his earthly journey and went to join his Lord, and Savior, on January 28, 2017. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the Bryan/College Station Brethren Church located at 2650 Earl Rudder Freeway South in College Station. Funeral services will be held at the church on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 10 am.
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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