Theo Louis Polasek

THEO LOUIS POLASEK

 Theo Polasek, 91, of Montgomery, Texas passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Conroe Health Care Center. He was born on July 9, 1933, in Wharton, Texas to the late Theodore Otto Polasek and Agnes Marie Kucera Polasek.

 Theo was raised in the Wharton area and he graduated from Wharton High School in 1951. He was always a good student and he was a talented band member. He was an excellent dancer and loved to waltz, polka and jitterbug. He attended Wharton County Junior College for one year. He was determined to earn a college degree even though he had no financial support and wasn’t sure if he would succeed, being the first in his family to go to college. He enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin, living frugally and working hard at a variety of jobs. After his first year in Austin he also received academic scholarships from the Petroleum Engineering Department. 

 He married Mary Ann Konvicka on September 12, 1955. Together they worked so that he was able to obtain a Masters Degree in Petroleum Engineering, which was unusual for the time but played a crucial role in his professional success. His first job was with Atlantic Oil in a lab in Dallas, Texas, for seven years. After that he was promoted to positions that took them from Dallas to Louisiana, to California twice, to New York, to Kansas, to Colorado, and finally to Alaska. When he retired in 1991, he was the Vice President of Operations of Alyeska Pipeline in Anchorage, Alaska. Previously he served as President of ARCO Pipeline in Independence, Kansas and COO of Anaconda Minerals in Denver, Colorado. Through his work, this small town boy travelled the world. 

 In retirement, Theo enjoyed his family (especially his six grandchildren) and hunting and fishing. He and Mary Ann designed and built a house in Montgomery, Texas, and they joined Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Theo was a member of the church choir and the Knights of Columbus. He also took great pleasure in developing a ranch property in Edna, Texas, with his wife that is used by the family for hunting and fishing. 

 Theo was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Louis Polasek, and brothers John Joe Polasek and Joe Allen Polasek. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Ann Polasek; daughter Carla Louise Wakefield of Lawrence, Kansas; his son John Joel Polasek and his wife Steffani of Pearland, Texas; sister Agnes Polasek Foster of Fulshear, Texas; and grandchildren Claire Wakefield, Rachel Wakefield, Julia Wakefield, Tyler Polasek and his wife Kara, Steven Polasek and Matthew Polasek.

 Visitation is being held on Monday, July 15, 2024, from 5-8 pm at the chapel of Wharton Funeral Home with the rosary recited at 7 pm. The Funeral Mass is being held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 10 am at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton. Serving as pall bearers are Tyler Polasek, Steven Polasek, Matthew Polasek, Joe Polasek, Ted Polasek and David Konvicka. The burial is conducted in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Funeral services are under the direct supervision of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.