Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on October 26, 2012

Clarence Prihoda
Clarence Henry
Prihoda, May 1, 1927
October 24, 2012,
Clarence H. Prihoda, 85, of College Station passed away on October 24, 2012. Visitation will be Friday, October 26, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Hillier Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 27, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2541 Earl Rudder Freeway South, College Station.
Clarence was born in New Ulm and grew up in Willow Springs. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1951 after serving in WWII and the Korean War. He worked for Sun Oil Company for 36 years and upon retirement, he became a licensed real estate broker. Clarence was instrumental in the building of two Catholic churches: Our Lady of Light Church in Anahuac, Texas and Holy Cross Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus (4th degree), K. J. T., American Petroleum Institute and Society of Petroleum Engineers. He served faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector in many Catholic parishes.
He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Anton Prihoda, mother Lena Minarcik Prihoda; brothers, Lee Roy, Joe and Daniel; and a sister, Anna Marie.
Clarence is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Marian; children: Dana Werner and Louis of Houston, Dr. C.H. Prihoda, Jr. and Sheilah of Navasota, Denise Barbier and Bob of Louisville, KY, Patrice Boyd and Tim of Caracas, Venezuela, Paul Prihoda of Brenham, Stephen Prihoda and Crystal of Fairfield; fourteen grandchildren; sister, Bernice Ripple and Jimmy of Industry, and three sisters-in-law, Angie, Mary Lee and Marie.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to Aggieland Catholic Foundation, Inc., St. Mary's Catholic Church, 603 Church Street, College Station, TX 77840.
______________________________________________________________________
Sent by family

Clarence H. Prihoda ’51, 85 of College Station (formerly of Willow Springs, Beaumont, Anahuac, Hankamer, McAllen, Houston and Lafayette, LA) died October 24, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII before attending TAMU. After obtaining a degree in petroleum engineering he worked for Sun Oil Company for 36 years. His leadership in the oil business was rewarded with the naming of a reservoir field in his honor in Wharton County and with membership in the Society of Petroleum Engineers Legion of Honor. Upon retirement he owned a real estate business with his wife Marian. Together they housed many Aggie students at their Willow Rock apartments in College Station for 30 years. His generous nature was evident in helping individuals start up their own businesses, building two Catholic churches and advising many aspiring engineers to attend TAMU. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers including Leroy Prihoda ’52 and Daniel Prihoda ‘57. Survivors include his wife of 60 years Marian, and children Dana (Prihoda) Werner ‘ 75, C.H. Jr. MD ‘ 76, Denise (Prihoda) Barbier ‘ 78, Patrice (Prihoda) Boyd ’79, Paul ‘ 83 and Stephen ’85 and 14 grandchildren including Stephanie (Werner) Mace ’05, Haley (Prihoda) Sechelski ’07, Travis Barbier ’07, Claire (Barbier) Petree ’08, Mary Boyd ’11, Abbey Prihoda ‘13 and T.C. Boyd ’14 and a sister.