Joseph Jaroslav Coufal

Joseph Jaroslav Coufal of Mathis, formerly of Kingsville died July 23, 2016. Joe was born to Joseph Frank and Anna Walcik Coufal in Flatonia, Texas on February 12, 1927, the seventh of eight children. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and served aboard 5 carriers and a seaplane tender during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. He served two tours at NAS Kingsville, retiring in 1968. Joe worked the next 17 years at the Bishop Celanese Plant retiring in 1985 as a Senior Buyer in the ThermoPlastic Engineering Unit. Joe married Owedia “Bo” Sthram on July 28, 1951. During Joe’s naval career they resided in Florida, California, Texas, and returned to Kingsville following his naval retirement. Upon retiring from Celanese, Joe and Bo relocated to Mathis, Texas. Joe was active in his church and community serving as a deacon at Retama Park Baptist Church in Kingsville, Ricardo Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church in Mathis. He served as a branch director for Hocheim Prairie Insurance and on the Ricardo Water Supply board. Joe is preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Owedia “Bo” Coufal of Mathis; his four sons; Commander Jerry W. Coufal, USN (Ret.) (Regina) of the Woodlands, Texas; Torpedoman Senior Chief, USN (Ret.) Mark E. Coufal (Scarlett) of Spring, Texas; Brian Coufal of Kingsville, Texas; and Paul (Kay) Coufal of Brenham, Texas; ten grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors at Dobie Funeral Home, 121 N. Duval Mathis, Texas on Thursday July 28 beginning at 6 pm. Funeral services will be 11 am Friday, July 29 at First Baptist Church Mathis, 404 S. Bee Street, Mathis, Texas. Interment and graveside services will be held at 2:30 pm Friday, July 29 at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville, Texas