March 1, 1938 – June 10, 2023
Pavlas
The gregarious, sweet, and tender- hearted, Elmer Joe Pavlas was born March 1, 1938, to Louis and Mary Pavlas at their home in Praha, Texas. Though not confirmed, it is believed by many that at the time of his birth, Elmer came out introducing himself to the doctor, telling a joke and laughing. Being one of six children, Elmer knew the love and joys of family and carried that with him throughout his life. He graduated in 1956 from Moulton High School with a few hijinks to his name. Soon after, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, working for Western Union. On a blind date in 1957, Elmer met Rose Marie (Mutz) and the two married on July 24, 1960, in Cestahowa, Texas, after Elmer returned from his 1958 US Army enlistment. Given Elmer’s knack for connecting with people, his work as a building materials salesman came natural for him and when he eventually retired from his full-time work with William Cameron/Guardian Building Materials, he had tallied a 42-year career with the company. Elmer and Rose Marie moved to Boerne, Texas, in 1977 with their girls, Michelle and Melanie. Their Catholic devotion found a home for many years at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Boerne where Elmer served as an usher and a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his Catholic devotion, Elmer spent many years as a Director with the Kendall County Fair Association and eventually became a Senior Director. He rode in and marshalled parades in Boerne and around neighboring south Texas communities, of course making new friends along the way. He planned many shindigs at the Kendall County Fair Grounds over the years and found joy himself in other people’s joy during celebrations and dances.
Elmer loved company, collected many, many friends, enjoyed walking off the beaten path, and invited new adventures during his 85 years of life. He and Rose Marie enjoyed traveling and seeing new sights wherever they found themselves. Their travels included many trips to the Hawaiian Islands, a 50th wedding anniversary Alaskan cruise and to many states in the lower 48. With their girls, they traveled from the coast of Texas to the bayous of Louisiana, experiencing the people and places along the way. During retirement, many relaxing days together were shared kicking their feet up in Conroe, Texas, where they visited many times. Throughout his life at their home in Fair Oaks Ranch, Elmer was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables. He enjoyed the challenge of who could grow the best tomato crop each summer. When he retired, his flower and plant collection looked more like a tropical garden—a real feat for a south Texas gardener! Elmer was always one to “go big” in all he did— including making friends and loving his family. This is particularly true of how he embraced grandfather hood. Elmer gained a lifelong sidekick at the birth of Bradley, his only grandson, in 1987. “Popo” was born that day as well and the two became lifelong partners as Popo and Bradley shared time together, first tooling around the yard for fun on the riding lawnmower and later riding along together on Elmer’s sales trips to Del Rio. Popo’s heart grew even more when Colt, his great grandson, was born in 2009. He was a shameless and doting grandfather and great grandfather!
Surrounded by his loving wife and family, Elmer passed away on June 10, 2023. He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Rose Marie; daughter, Michelle Galan (Brian Blanton); daughter, Melanie McKinney (Mark); grandson, Bradley Galan; great grandson, Colt Galan; brother, Richard Pavlas (Barbara); sister-in-law, Dorothy Pavlas (Felix); brother-in-law, Jimmy Mutz; and many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Mary Pavlas; his siblings, Louis Pavlas, Jr.; Felix Pavlas; Edith (Pavlas) Luksovsky; Hermina (Pavlas) Dubose.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for mass intentions in Elmer’s name to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church at https:// stpetersboerne.com and/or to the Benedictine Sisters of Boerne—St. Scholastica Monastery at https://boernebenedictines. org/ (Boerne, Texas).
The family wishes to thank all of Elmer’s physicians, the staff at Methodist Texsan Hospital, the staff and Knights of Columbus at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, the Catholic Daughters of America (Boerne), the staff of Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home (Boerne), and the staff of The Empty Vase florist (Boerne).
Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Holy Angels Cemetery in Boerne. To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Elmer’s life, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher. com. Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.
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