Memorials › LTC Henry Harvey “Jim” Konvicka

LTC Henry Harvey “Jim” Konvicka

9 Jan 1924 – 24 Aug 2016

Birth9 Jan 1924
Death24 Aug 2016
CemeterySacred Heart Cemetery
Hallettsville , Lavaca County , Texas , USA
Added byDan Vacek on 27 Aug 2016
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168950885

Bio

Henry H. Konvicka, 92, of Hallettsville, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 24, 2016, a patient at St. Mark's Hospital in La Grange, TX. Henry was born on January 9, 1924 in Ammannsville, TX to Jim J. and Veronika Holub Konvicka. He was the eldest of 6 children in a farming family living near Moravia TX. Henry attended Moravia School and graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1941. After graduation, he attended Texas A&M College from 1941 through 1943, Drafted from A&M into the US Army during World War II. In the 8th Armored Division, he was assigned 50 Infantry soldiers whom he led into battles in Germany. He also served as a translator in Czechoslovakia and later became an aircraft pilot and instructor and a test pilot for Bell Helicopters in Ft. Worth. Col. Konvicka had two tours of duty in Korea —the first during the Korean Conflict and then in 1963 where he was a battalion commander. In 1961, he had the privilege of flying Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of West Germany, on a goodwill mission to the Vice President's ranch to cement international relations between Germany and the US. In his 25 years of Military Service he received: European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; American Campaign Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Germany); World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Japan); Korean Service Medal; Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (awarded 3 times); United Nations Service Medal; Army Aviator Badge; Republic of Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge; National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Senior Army Aviator Badge; and General Staff Identification Bade. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army in 1967, he settled in Austin with his family. There he started a boat manufacturing business and later retired from the Texas Commission for the Blind. In 1989, Henry married Lanora and they returned to the Hallettsville area and began their retirement years with both of them serving the local military community. Henry was very active in the VFW, the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, the Czech Heritage Society, Hallettsville Golf Club and an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Many know Henry for his wonderful woodcraft items, of which he regularly donated to many of the local church picnics. Henry was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister, brother-in-law, daughter, Linda, son, Michael and step-son Michael. Funeral Mass Service: 11 am, Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary starting at 6 pm. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Donor's Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Published by Kubena Funeral Home. ************************************* Texas Birth Index Name Henry Jim Konvicha Event Type Birth Event Date 09 Jan 1924 Event Place Fayette, Texas Certificate Number 2659

Photos

Family

Parents

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family