Raymond E. Marak
Raymond E. Marak, Sr. died peacefully Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Legend Oaks Rehabilitation in Ennis, Texas. He was born on September 10, 1931, on the family farm near West, Texas, one of 13 children to Frank and Agnes (Gerik) Marak.
On May 13, 1967, he married the love of his life, Elsie Jane “Janie” (Slama) Marak in Ennis. He was a devout Catholic. Member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Usher for many years, KJT #35 Ennis member for 46 years, KC 3rd Degree, and 4th Degree for 63 years, KJZT # 16 Ennis, Sokol member 50 years, American Legion Ennis, First Catholic Slovak Association – Formerly Catholic Workmen.
He attended schools in the West, Texas area until, he joined the Army and served his country proudly from 1953 to 1955.
When he returned he worked for General Tire and General Motors and then decided to go to school to become a barber which he did for over 25 years at Rolley’s Barber Shop on Knox St. in Dallas. After retiring from his barber job he took a year or 2 off just doing what he loved the most, farming and spending time with his cattle, which he always was doing and holding down a job also. Then he got the job at Tyler Refrigeration in Waxahachie and worked there for 27 years Raymond has, from his single days always been engaged in the cattle business and loved going to the auction. But his beautiful blue eyes would really light up when is grandchildren or great-grandchildren would walk in the door and he would hear them call for him – “PaPaw”? He was so proud of them they were the joy of his life.
Raymond loved to talk and tell stories, didn’t know a stranger. He enjoyed life!!! He enjoyed having coffee at Charlie’s in the mornings with his buddies. And when he would get together with his old time roommates from his single days (and believe me, there were a lot of them, because at our wedding Johnny Mensik and his band played a request for us and said, ”This is for Ray and Elsie and for a man that has been around the world and back for as many roommates as he has had so this is for all the guys you have had as roommates and their wives)’. We filled the old KJT dance floor.
Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Agnes (Gerik) Marak; brothers: Arthur Marak, Alfred Marak, Harry Marak, Frankie Marak and Stanley Marak; and sisters: Edith Sulak, Molly Vanzura, Evelyn Vrbas, Henrietta Snokhous and Helen Klish.
Survivors include his beloved wife of over 53 years, Elsie Jane “Janie” Marak; children: Pam Maliska and husband, John, Renee Lambeth and husband, Doug and son, Ray Marak, Jr., and Lisa Marak, all of Ennis; grandchildren: Chase, Dawson and Ali Santos and Eason Maliska, Breanna Lambeth and Chris Ballard, Brandi Lambeth and Corbin and Gavin Marak; great-grandchildren: Bryleigh Rodriguez and Zaiten Ballard all of Ennis; brother, Bob Marak and wife, Mary Ann; sister, Rose Kubacak and husband, Charlie of West; sisters-in-law, Agnes Marak of Abbott and Sandra Marak of Greenville, Georgia LaScala and Jeanette Slama of Ennis and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends who are all so special.
Visitation was held on Thursday, March 11, 2021, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis. Please observe the social distancing protocols and wear a face covering.
Mass of the Christian Burial was held on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 10 a.m. in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church with Father John Dick as Celebrant. Pallbearers were Chase Maliska, Dawson Maliska, Eason Maliska, Brandi Lambeth, Corbin Marak and Gavin Marak. Interment followed in St. Joseph Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to St. Joseph Cemetery of Ennis or to the American Cancer Society.
