Memorials › Baltus James "BJ" Berger

Baltus James "BJ" Berger

22 Jan 1939 – 4 Nov 2012

Birth22 Jan 1939
Death4 Nov 2012
CemeteryResurrection Catholic Cemetery
Victoria , Victoria County , Texas , USA
Added byLJCL16 on 06 Nov 2012
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100308882

Bio

VICTORIA - Baltus James (B J) Berger, 73, of Victoria, passed away peacefully, with his wife and family at his side on November 4, 2012, after a courageous 1 ½ year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on January 22, 1939, in Victoria, Texas, the fifth of six children born to the late Fred and Helena (Lena) Reuter Berger. B J was married to his soul mate, Lillian Novak, daughter of the late Albert and Lillie Novak, on April 15, 1961, at St Theresa's Catholic Church in LaSalle, Texas, for 51 ½ years. He was a life time member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where he served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, chaired the church festival a number of times and member of Our Lady of Lourdes Holy Name Society. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1329, serving as Grand Knight, a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree assembly 1126 serving as Faithful Pilot. B J enjoyed life as a caring husband, father and grandfather (Paw Paw). He had a strong faith in God and served the Lord in his work and church and was a hard worker. In his younger life he loved to water ski and enjoyed teaching his children and their friends how to water ski. He also loved to hunt fish and shoot skeet. He loved working with his children and their sheep they raised for 4H for the Annual Stock Show and served as the leader of the animal and shot gun projects in 4H. He enjoyed dancing with his wife and belonged to a Polka and Waltz dance club. In his later life he enjoyed working in the church and with the KCs. He loved his fellow brother KCs and his church. B J and his wife did some ranching on a small scale and enjoyed raising Registered Beefmaster Cattle. Within the last two or three years, he tried raising a few head of Black Angus and in the past year a Charolais Bull. Some would call it a hobby, but he would quickly tell them, it was work. He attended Patti Welder High School. He joined the U S Navy Aviation Branch in 1956, after serving in the Navy, he went to work for Union Carbide and retired after 34 years of service. After retiring from Union Carbide, he worked on contract for the City and County of Victoria as the Emergency Management Coordinator from 1994 - 2004. He then went to work for the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, until he became ill. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, daughter, Teresa Berger Dodson (Daniel) of Frisco, TX; son, Michael James Berger (Fiance, Josette Cook) of Victoria and Bacliff, TX; grandchildren, Darion, Sydney and Braden Dodson of Frisco; Cameron, Colby and Michaela Berger of Victoria; sister, Marjorie Tater (Charlie) of Victoria; brothers, William Berger (Ruby) of Gonzales, Allan Berger (Dee) of Victoria/Port O'Connor and Fred Berger (Marie) of Victoria; brother-in-law, James Novak (Constance) of Victoria. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, and sister, Doris Berger Lyssy. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 7, from 5 to 7 pm followed by a Rosary at 7 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, November 8, at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Rev. Msg. Celestino Say, Pastor and Rev. John Kollannur, Parochial Vicar officiating. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren; nephews/Godchildren, Randall Berger and Gary Loest. Full military honors will be under the Auspices of Victoria County Veterans Council. Honorary Pallbearers will be Our Lady of Lourdes Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus Council 1329, Knights Of Columbus 4th degree Assembly 1126, Boll Weevil Gang and Friday morning Coffee Group. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (Masses or Altar Restorations), Hospice of South Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center or donor's choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com. Published in Victoria Advocate on November 7, 2012

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