Alfred Emmit Pawelek, age 91, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Alfred was born April 1, 1934, in Falls City, Texas, to parents Charlie Peter and Annie Elizabeth Esparza Pawelek. He attended the community schools in Deweesville and Three Oaks before graduating as a member of the first graduating class of Falls City High School in 1953. There, he played multiple sports and discovered his passion for baseball and football, competing on a six-man team.

After graduation, Alfred served in the United States Army as a Specialist Third Class from November 1954 until October 1956 when he was honorably discharged from active duty. He was stationed in Germany, working with heavy artillery 90-millimeter guns, and was also an active player on his division's baseball team.

After returning home and seeking more opportunities, Alfred found employment in Austin, Texas, at Piccadilly Cafeterias. He dedicated 43 years to the company, working his way up from dish washer to Manager and Vice President before retiring in 1999. Early in his career, he took a brief "sabbatical" in 1957 to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball after being recruited as a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox organization. He ultimately reached the AAA Professional Baseball League. He later left baseball, recognizing it was too far from family and did not offer a stable future. Piccadilly held his job for his return.

A few years later, Alfred met the love of his life, Jeanette Marie Jenschke, of Kerrville, Texas, while on a blind date in Austin. Six months later, he asked Jeanette to marry him, and six months after that, they were married in Kerrville, on October 1, 1960. Through Alfred's career, the family relocated from Austin to Dallas, and ultimately to Houston in 1968, where they settled and built the family home in which they raised their children. Along the way, Alfred and Jeanette welcomed five children and were devoted, loving parents, eventually becoming Bopa and Gama to ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. It was important to them to be intentional about building a better life for their legacy.

Alfred was a committed family man whose thoughtful leadership and strong work ethic showed in everything he did. He was a man of action more than words, and when he spoke, people listened. To Alfred family came first. He was always present at family birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, reunions and holidays even if it meant a late-night drive back to Houston. Alfred assisted in the development of his sons in youth baseball and football, volunteered at the Houston Astros home games for the benefit of the Knights of Columbus, maintained an immaculate vegetable garden, fruit trees and blackberry vines in Houston, including tending to his 24 pecan trees grown from his own grafted seedlings. He also developed and cared for his small family ranch in Falls City. After retiring, he became very active in the Knights of Columbus at his home parish of St. Jerome Catholic Church where he won Knight of the Year. It was also important for him to attend as many of his grandchildrens events as possible.

Alfred is survived by his children, Sandra Pawelek Hoppe of Houston, Alfred "Al" Emmit Pawelek, Jr. of Joshua, Timothy "Tim" Leo Pawelek of San Antonio, Brenda Marie Pawelek of Boise and Cynthia Pawelek Hogan (Danny) of Cypress; grandchildren, Alfred "Trace" Pawelek, III (Stephanie), Nathan Hoppe (Laura), Nicole Hoppe, Lauren Fitzgerald Ducharme (Cole), Alexandra Fitzgerald, Ryan Pawelek, Katherine Fitzgerald, Leah Pawelek, Michael Fitzgerald and John Daniel Hogan; and great-grandchildren, Caleb Hoppe, George Hoppe and Kennedy Pawelek. His surviving brothers and sisters, Edna (German) Kopecki, Rosalie (the late Alfred) Wilson, Adrian (Diann) Pawelek, Helen (the late Raymond) Matlock, and Glenn Pawelek; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Alfred was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Jeanette; his parents, Charlie and Annie Pawelek; son-in-law, Kenneth Hoppe; brothers, Melton, Elmer and James Pawelek and sisters-in-law, Ruby and Lucille Pawelek.

The Holy Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, February 24th at 10:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Houston. Following the Rosary, a Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Kerrville at a later date.

We appreciate your memories and condolences. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Alfred's name to the St. Jerome Knights of Columbus Council 4550. Please send memorial donations to Cynthia Hogan, 17202 Bending Oak Ct., Cypress, TX 77429. The family would like to also extend a special thank you to Bristol Hospice and Spring Cypress Assisted Living for their care of Alfred.