Coufal

Alvin H. Coufal, Jr., 81, of the Haw Creek community, passed away Aug. 10, 2018, in Brenham. Alvin Henry Coufal, Jr. was born at home in the Haw Creek Community on July 26, 1937 to Alvin H. and Adele J. (Menking) Coufal. Alvin was baptized in Oct., 1937 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fayetteville by Pastor Julius Boussard. He was confirmed on March 29, 1953 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shelby by Pastor William Feller. He met his wife of 59 years while playing Luther League volleyball during the summer. He married Verna Jean Rathke on Aug. 1, 1959 at Welcome Lutheran Church officiated by Pastor Walter Wolf. Alvin volunteered for United States Army Reserves in 1960, attending basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was honorably discharged from US Army Reserves on October 11, 1966 with the rank of SP5. He attended Round Top Carmine schools and graduated in 1956. He attended Blinn College in Brenham and graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in 1958. He then attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in August, 1960. Later he attended Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio and received a Master of Education degree in July, 1967. He also attended the University of Houston in Victoria and received a Language Learning Disabilities certification in 1986. His working career began with Lutheran Brotherhood and later Delta Airlines which relocated him to Tennessee, where their daughter Ruth was born. He and Verna returned to Texas in late 1962 and he began a 29-year career of education in elementary, Jr high and high school level classes. He retired in 1992 after teaching in Morton, Poteet where their son Ray was born, Tilden, Yorktown, Bellville – West End Elementary where he was also principal, Lavaca County Co-Op and Columbus ISD. Though he retired, he was always a teacher – whether teaching his grandchildren about hunting and fishing, books and history or his “little lefties” - his great granddaughters even right before his death, he always found a teaching opportunity. And he enjoyed visiting with all his former students. In the late 1970s he was able to move to his childhood home on the farm where he and Verna continue to reside. He enjoyed fishing – especially in Cummins Creek, hunting, reading and World War II history. He has life membership in Texas State Teaches Association, a member of Fayette County Republican Committee, and was previously election judge for Precinct 2 in Fayette County. He also participated in West End Lions and Industry Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Shelby. He is survived by his wife, Verna Jean Coufal of the Haw Creek community. Also surviving are daughter, Ruth Lyn Poncik and husband Richard of Columbus; daughter-in-law Cynthia Coufal of Richmond. He is survived by four grandchildren, Garrett Poncik and wife April of Bleiblerville; Jessica Mitchell and husband Chad of Helotes; Landon Coufal of College Station, and Brooke Coufal of Richmond. He is also survived by great-granddaughters: Abigail, Madelyn and Kadynce Poncik, and expected soon Lola Mitchell. Also surviving are sister-in-law Joyce Warmke and husband Billie. He is also survived by numerous niece and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son - Ray Allen Coufal; his parents – Alvin and Adele Coufal, father-in-law and mother in law – Walter and Anita Rathke, his brother and sister in law – Lester and Erline Coufal, sisters – Isabella Sommerlatte and Madeline Movan and husband Johnny, niece Jane Sommerlatte, and great-nephew Darren Dudensing. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Shelby (6814 Skull Creek Rd. Fayetteville, Texas 78940). Burial was held at Haw Creek Cemetary, FM 389 near Shelby. Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham Tx 77833. Pallbearers were: Roy Wied, Randy Wied, Scottie Schubert, Jeff Graeter, Stephen Graeter, Rodney Hackemack, Steven Mohr, Jeff Gau and Tim Mickan. Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren and great granddaughters. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Shelby, 6814 Skull Creek Rd.; Fayetteville, Texas 78940 or Brazos Valley Hospice 302 E. Blue Bell Rd; Brenham, Texas 77833 or charity of your choice. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com. Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham was in charge of arrangements.