Greive

Gary Edwin Greive, 65, passed away peacefully at his home in Praha on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 after a 14 month battle with cancer.

He was born in San Antonio on March 17, 1954 to Edwin A. and Mary (Mikel) Greive. Gary grew up in San Antonio. He excelled in scouting, having earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He began his 38 ½ year career with Southwestern Bell Corporation/AT&T in 1974 and retired in September 2012. Many people in Flatonia and surrounding towns considered him “their telephone man”.

In 1977 he purchased his grandparents’ farm in Praha and moved there permanently in 1981. On Oct. 2, 1982, he married Denise Beale of Flatonia. They had two sons, Joseph and John. His heart was filled with love and joy for his two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Emily.

Gary enjoyed gardening, fishing, and hunting. During the tributes read at his Rosary, his sons described him as “a man of many stories” and “a generous, giving man”. Gary described his 2017 mission trip to Guatemala as a humbling and rewarding spiritual experience and had wanted to return.

Gary is survived by his wife, Denise; his sons, Joseph (daughter-in-law, Iana) Greive of Bryan, John of Bryan; granddaughters, Elizabeth and Emily; brother-in-law and sisters-inlaw, Allan and Cyndi Stryk; Sharon Friedrich and Sue Ann Greive Brooks and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert A. Greive, and brother-in-law, Melvin Friedrich.

On Thursday, Aug. 22, Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home Chapel in Schulenburg. The Rosary followed at 7 p.m, led by Georgia Cerny.

Rev. Gabriel Maison officiated the Funeral Mass on Friday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m., at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Praha, with interment in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were: Wade Friedrich, Corey Hall, Toby Rothbauer, Matt Skillern, Eliot Towb and Craig Westwood.

Honorary Pallbearers were: George “Butch” Bugel, Phil Crawford, Jimmy Frieda, Ernst Greive and Eric Lykins. Gift Bearers were: Georgia Cerny and Allan Stryk. Honorary Gift Bearers were: Sharon Friedrich and Cyndi Stryk. Other participants were: Lector-Amber Skillern, Organist-Peggy Kalich, Soloist-Emily Vacek Grissom and Altar Server-Robert Lev.

Gary was a member of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Praha and a Life Member of the AT&T Pioneers.

Memorial donations may be made to: Incarnate Word Blessed Sacrament Convent in Victoria, St. Rose Catholic School in Schulenburg, Hospice of South Texas in Hallettsville, or to a charity of one’s choice.