Roll Call Tribute

George Louis Svatek 

November 20, 1935 - March 7, 2024 

George Louis Svatek, age 88, of Temple, Texas passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024, peacefully at his home surrounded by family. He was born on November 20, 1935, in Shiner, Texas the son of John F. and Angeline (Hajek) Svatek. He grew up on a farm near Crescent, Texas with his parents and 13 siblings with him being the fourth oldest. The love of farming and participating in 4-H activities drove him to wanting to learn more.

George earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University, Class of 1958 (whoop!). His mother was even honored with the award of A&M Mother of the Year in 1958 by the student body and was the honored guest at Parent's Day. 

He served his country in the United States Army, and went to work for the USDA Farmers Home Administration beginning his career in Liberty, Tx and this is where he first laid eyes on Frances while working at the Liberty County Courthouse whereby, he had to walk past her office to get to his. They married on April 8, 1961. While beginning his career in Liberty, George was a very driven individual and soon began getting promoted and moved to Rosenberg, then Bellville, on to Seguin, and ultimately landing a role in the State office of Temple in 1974 where they nestled in and have resided for the past 50 years.

George’s career lasted 32 years until they were trying to put a computer on his desk……and he said no way! Upon retiring, he was recruited by the local Empire Seed company (who he would visit each day when taking a walk during his lunch hour) to come work and help take care of plants. Then he got wooed by a competitor, Tem-Bel Nursery where he kept their plants alive and even learned how to make bows during Christmas time for the poinsettias. Plants, yard work and gardening were his favorite pastimes, and he was great at it. He was often called upon to help the neighbor kids with their science projects of producing leaf collections since he had such a variety of plants throughout his yard (they all got A+’s) and quite often he would save the day for wedding planners by providing fresh cut English ivy for the decorations. You could tell when he had a great day by watching him sit back, relax with a cold beer, put on some polka tunes, and admire his yard.

Besides his yardwork, George had a love for sports and when he wasn’t watching his beloved Aggies play, he was cheering on his daughter’s various sport teams and never missing a game of basketball, volleyball, softball, or a track meet….in essence, it was his year-round second job being the Team Dad and #1 yell leader.

George was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church in Temple and faith in the catholic church was extremely important to him. He also loved to volunteer and take care of and nurture the flower beds all across the grounds at St. Luke.

George is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances Svatek of Temple; 2 children: Brad Svatek '84 of Friendswood, Tx and Pam Tomme '88 and husband Chris of Fulshear, Tx; 5 siblings: Billy Svatek and wife Josephine of Needville, Tx, Bernadette Toman of Rosenberg, Tx, David Svatek of Rosenberg, Tx, and Tommy Svatek and wife Lauren of Missouri City, Tx.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters: Henrietta Barta, Johnnie Svatek, Jimmy Svatek, Tony Svatek, Agnes Labay, Laddie Svatek, Benjamin Svatek, Janice Toman, and Jody Svatek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Luke Catholic Church (2807 Oakdale Dr. Temple, Texas) would be appreciated (www.slparish.com).