Benedict G Kocian, Jr. (Ben), 74, passed away peacefully in his home in Fairchilds, TX, on June 5, 2024, after a brief illness. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.
Ben was born on August 19, 1949, in Shiner, Texas to Ben G. Kocian Sr and Elizabeth (Patek) Kocian. He graduated from St. Paul High School in 1968 and moved to Houston where he worked for Houston Lighting and Power for 37 years. Ben married Cynthia Mayer on October 21, 1972. Their three children, Wesley, Dale and Shelley were born in Houston. While in Houston, Ben and Cynthia were foster parents to several children.
In 1983 the family moved to their current home in Fairchilds, TX. Ben spent countless hours with family and friends at his lake house in Somerville. He enjoyed playing golf, dominos and spending time with family and friends. Ben retired in 2005. When his first grandchild
Brayden (Scottie to Ben) was born in 2007, Ben became a full-time babysitter and loved every minute of time he spent with Brayden. Abygail (Abygail-e-e-e to Ben) was born 6 years later, and Ben also became her babysitter, and again, enjoyed all the time he spent with her. Ben was much more than a babysitter; he taught both grandchildren about local crops; showing them the corn, cotton, and milo in the area. They went to movies, museums, etc. Ben attended all the grandchildren’s functions regardless of the location or time, just as he had for his children.
In recent years, Ben spent as much time as possible at the lake house where he loved visiting with friends there and at his place in the woods at Dilworth, watching wildlife and enjoying the peace and quiet. When asked, Ben couldn’t say which place he liked better.
Ben is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cynthia, son Wesley, daughter Shelley Martinez and husband Juan, 2 grandchildren Abygail Martinez and Brayden Kocian and bonus daughter Dawnette Johnson (Brayden's mother). He is also survived by his mother Elizabeth Kocian, siblings Betty Jean Miculka and husband Mike, Patrick Kocian and wife Debbie, Marilyn Jahn and husband Daniel, Carolyn Hewig, Rose Ann Raab and husband Allen, Pam O'Connor and husband Scott, and Bobby Kocian, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Waiting for him in heaven were his father Benedict G Kocian Sr and Ben's beloved son Dale Scott Kocian who left this world too soon and who Ben missed every day. It must have been a glorious reunion.
Funeral mass will be on Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30 AM at St Cyril and Methodious Catholic Church, 306 S Ave F, Shiner, TX 77984 with Celebration of Life and a meal at Blase's Place, 4228 US HWY 90A, Hallettsville, TX 77964.
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