Morris Fred Zapalac

Morris Fred Zapalac, 87, of La Grange, died on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017.

Morris was born in Ellinger on Jan. 17, 1929, the son of Fredrick T. Zapalac and Pearl Mary (Koehl) Zapalac. He married Lillian Falydn on Nov. 25, 1952 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Holman.

Morris enlisted into the U.S. Army on February 13, 1951 and served in the 15th Int. 3rd Division. He received two bronze stars and the UN service medal.

He was honorably discharged on Nov. 12, 1952.

Morris became a self-employed rancher and owned and operated the Zapalac Hereford Cattle Ranch.

Morris was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus of Ellinger. He was an advocate of community service and served in many organizations including the Ellinger Farm Bureau, Adult Leader of the 4-H Club of Ellinger and member of the Fayette/Colorado County Water Association on the Columbus Bend Project sponsored by LCRA and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. He served as the Past President of the Fayette County Jr. Livestock Show and as a Board Member of the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce.

He was also involved with the State and National 4-H in the poultry division.

He loved raising his Hereford cattle. He took great joy in mentoring children who participated in 4-H and was a proud advisor for the La Grange ISD FFA. Morris received the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District Rancher of the Year Award and the Texas Dept. of Ag Family Land Heritage Award for the Zapalac Hereford Ranch for 100 years of ranching.

He is survived by wife, Lillian, of 64 years; daughter, Donna Mueller and husband, Dr. Thomas Mueller of Fayetteville; son, Kenneth Zapalac and wife, Susan, of La Grange; six grandchildren: Seth Mueller and wife, Ashley, of Ft. Worth; Stephanie Mueller of Comstock; Leslie Ann and husband, Capt. Manuel Garcia of Destin, Fla.; Kyle Zapalac and wife, Jordan, of San Antonio; Jarod Zapalac and wife, Taylor of San Antonio; Michelle Koehler and husband, Cody, of New Braunfels; two brothers-in-law: Jerry Faldyn and wife, Vlasta; Edward Faldyn and wife, Helen, all of Columbus; three sistersin- law: Georgia Belota of Plum; Francis Faldyn of Brenham; and Virginal Faldyn of Columbus; and five great-grandchildren: Reagan and Lawson Zapalac; James Thomas Mueller; Rosalie Koehler and Rex Garcia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Mary Faldyn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joe and Vlasta Vaclavik and Allen and Ruby Faldyn; and brothers-in-law: Johnnie, Wilbert and Joe Faldyn and Joe Belota.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 815 St. Mary’s Church Rd., Ellinger, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. A rosary will be recited prior to the funeral service beginning at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ellinger Volunteer Fire Dept., 306 W. Shumacher St., Ellinger, Texas 78938; St. Mary’s Cemetery Repair Fund, P.O. Box 57, Fayetteville, Texas 78940; or to a charity of one’s choice.

A special thanks to those involved in Morris’ personal care at TLC of Columbus, Monument Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Compassionate Care Home Health and Hospice of Bryan.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements.