Jerry J. Mokry

Jerry Joe Mokry was born on February 14, 1928, on a farm in Granger, TX to George and Mary Mokry. He was the third of nine children and the eldest son. He was a first generation Czech American and greatly respected his rich Czech heritage. Jerry was a long time member of Katolicka Jednota Texaska (KJT), the Czech Catholic Union of Texas. He was also fluent in the Czech language and his favorite sayings were the Czech "Sponhem Bohem" (Go with God) and "Jak se mas?" (How's it going?). On Saturday evenings, Jerry simply "czeched out" by watching Mollie B's Polka Party.

Jerry was devoted to his Catholic faith. Those who knew him well knew that he was a God-fearing man who held the traditions and beliefs of his faith as sacred. He enjoyed sharing his devotion to God with others, often sending prayers and tokens of faith with holiday greetings and letters.

Jerry was a Navy veteran who served at the end of World War II. He spent most of his enlistment in the Pacific, particularly the Bikini Islands. The Navy gave him the opportunity to travel the world. It is no wonder that Our Lord honored Jerry by taking him home on Memorial Day, 5/28.

Jerry married his sweetheart, Johnnye Lee, on April 24, 1952. They were blessed with six children, and nine grandchildren (with one great-grandson on the way). Jerry and Johnnye Lee were married for 62 years at the time of her death in 2014.

Although Jerry only completed an 8th grade formal education, he was a skilled craftsman. He owned his own flooring business, Jerry Mokry's Floor Covering Service, and was well known for quality work. Jerry worked very hard his entire life for everything he had and he passed that work ethic to his children and grandchildren. Even after retirement, Jerry continued to work on things he enjoyed and never remained idle.

One of Jerry's granddaughter’s recently said about him: "Grandpa had a hard exterior but an incredibly soft heart." Therefore, it was no surprise that his grandchildren often called him "Grumpa" for the very reason that he often came off rough around the edges but there was no doubt that his heart was full of love. Along with this love, he had a great sense of humor that often left a twinkle in his eye!

Jerry absolutely loved to fish in the ocean and he continued to do so as long as his body was able. He was also an avid bar-b-quer and handyman. He grew grapefruit and loved to share the fish he caught and the grapefruit he grew with family, neighbors, and even strangers! This was just one of the many ways he loved to help others.

Even at 90 yrs old, Jerry was able to live completely independent in his own home up until his most recent hospital stay. He loved his home in Corpus Christi, TX. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends, who will always enjoy thinking of him at his happiest, when he was out fishing. His family is comforted in knowing that he has finally been reunited in heaven with Johnnye Lee, "his sunshine, his only sunshine".

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel. A Rosary will be recited that same evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.