John Lowell Zavadil

John Lowell Zavadil, 86, of Gonzales, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026. John was born on June 10, 1939 at his home place on FM 1116 in Gonzales County to Louis and Hilda (Gloor) Zavadil. He was a member of the Shiner Lutheran Church. John met Erlene Kubecka Psencik at the KC Hall in Sealy, Texas and they were married on December 17, 1997 in Gonzales. John had honorably served in the Texas National Guard, 36th Infantry Division in Fort Hood, “T-Patchers” and the 49th Armored Division in Fort Polk, Louisianna-Lone Star Division.

John is survived by his wife Erlene Zavadil, daughter, Janna Christian (Brent), daughter-in-law, Dee Zavadil, stepdaughters, Priscilla Parrish, Mitzi Bedell (Jeff), grandchildren, Mitchell Christian, Wesley Zavadil (Samantha), Kelly Ginsberg (Mike), April Bairrington, Kristen Stacha, and Clinton Stacha, great-grandchildren, Haley Bairrington, Kylee Bairrington, Blake Noahubi, and Jaxton Crawford. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, John Mark Zavadil, sister and brother-in-law, Lois Jean and Thomas Ray Jackson, brother, Dennis Zavadil, sister, Alma Zavadil, and grandson, Randall “Sport” Bairrington, Jr.

John graduated from Gonzales High School with the Class of 1957. He furthered his education at Texas Lutheran College where he played football and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. After graduation, he worked with the John Deere Company in Houston, Texas before teaching and coaching in Nixon, Texas. He retired from Gonzales Junior High after 28 years and never missed a day of work. He was a wonderful role model as a teacher and coach to many students. Stories have been told where he would make his athletes run sprints and he and fellow coach Frank Fryer would run backwards before turning on the fly and beat their boys to the finish line.

After retirement, he had the opportunity to serve as the DJ for KCTI’s 1450 Polka Club for 17 years. He enjoyed receiving music requests and daily rainfall reports. John was awarded the Texas Polka Music Association DJ of the Year in 1996. His voice became a staple on “Polka Time in Texas” where he shared his passion for music and culture in multiple languages. Together with James Brunkenhoefer, Laverne Kalisek, and Anton Havel, they formed the “Happy Czech Singers” where they would play at local nursing homes, Praha, Texas, and anywhere else they may be asked to play.

John took great pride in his “Dead Man” fencing technique with some of these fences still standing today. He enjoyed spending time on his family farm during the off-season of coaching and summers.

As a charter member of the Czech Heritage Society of Texas, his love for his heritage was profound. He taught himself to speak the Czech language. He co-authored “Czech Footprints Across the Bluebonnet Fields: Early Czechs in Gonzales County”.

The family wishes to thank the following people for the exceptional love and care they were shown throughout the years: Egon Barthels, David Bird, Sue Valenta Camarillo, David “Cookie” Gast, Jr, Dr. Commie Hisey, Candace Rodriguez, and Kristina Feller-Sirilo.

Graveside services will be held at 10 am, Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Hermann Sons Cemetery with Egon Barthels officiating. Honorary Pallbearers: Egon Barthels, David Bird, Sue Valenta Camarillo, David “Cookie” Gast, Jr, Dr. Commie Hisey, Candace Rodriguez, and Kristina Feller-Sirilo.

Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. John and Erlene enjoyed working with “God’s Work Our Hands Kitchen” at the First Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels (GCSCA) at P.O. Box 1834, Gonzales, TX 78629. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home