Dennis Wayne Dobias

Dennis Wayne Dobias of Waco, Texas passed away Friday, October 16, 2015 at Providence Hospital in Waco, Texas at the age of 65. A Rosary and wake service will be held on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:00pm with visitation from 5:00 – 7:00pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard, Texas. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 21st at 10:00am at Holy Cross Catholic Church by his brother-in-law, Father Ray John Marek, OMI, with interment immediately following at Holy Cross Cemetery. Dennis was born January 3, 1950 in El Campo, Texas to Rudolph G. (Ralph) Dobias and Ann Marie Havran Dobias. His family moved to Columbus, Texas where he attended St. Anthony Catholic School and Columbus High School. They then relocated to East Bernard, Texas where he graduated from East Bernard High School in 1968 and attended Wharton County Junior College. Dennis joined the U. S. Army in 1970, where he served with the 8th Army in Korea as a Vulcan/Chaparral crewman during the Vietnam era. He married Paulette Marek of East Bernard, Texas on April 4, 1970 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to East Bernard to work for K&P Farms for several years and then as service manager and general manager for the Ford car dealership. He and Paulette also owned and operated Family Furniture and Appliances for several years. Dennis was later employed by Union Motors, Inc. as Parts and Service Coordinator. In September 1994, he began his career at the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Vehicle Inspection Technician in Region 2 in Houston, Texas and soon promoted to Field Supervisor. In 1999, he advanced to Regional Supervisor – Vehicle Inspection Service in Region 6 in Waco, Texas and also served as Statewide Training Coordinator. Dennis became Senior Manager at the Compliance and Enforcement Service of Texas Department of Public Safety in the Austin, Texas headquarters. During his 20-year career, he received numerous awards and accolades including the Division Directors Award for his outstanding performance in implementing the ‘Two Steps, One Sticker’ vehicle inspection/registration program with other state agencies. He retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety on May 31, 2015. Dennis was a 33-year member of American Legion Post # 226 and served as 9th District Commander and was an honorary member of Knights of Columbus #2500. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and playing bass guitar and teaching his grandchildren to enjoy the great outdoors. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, John and Ann Dobias and Stephon and Justina Havran. He is survived by his wife Paulette, daughter Donna Dobias Rivera and husband Rubin of Katy, Texas, daughter Becky Dobias Williams and husband Marcus of Centerville, Texas and his son Matthew Dobias and wife Erin of Haslet, Texas. Also four grandchildren, Masen and Logan Rivera, Liam Dobias and granddaughter Lillianne Marie Williams. He is also survived by his brother Michael Dobias and wife Carol of East Bernard, Texas and sister Kathy Srubar and husband Allan of Hungerford, Texas. Survivors also include his father and mother-in-law, Raymond and Lillian Marek of East Bernard, Texas as well as several other brother and sister-in-laws and nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Bosco Hillman, Andy Faulkner, Carl Hammermiller, Brian Srubar, Brian Cunningham, Dwayne Pesek, Ryan Pesek and Daniel Marek. Honorary pallbearers are members of the American Legion Post # 226 and Texas Department of Public Safety employees. Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Cemetery Fund or Karla Austin Marek scholarship fund. Funeral services will be handled by Wharton Funeral Home in Wharton, Texas. Condolences can be made at www.whartonfuneralhome.com