Erwin Rudolph Olexa, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend died December 26, 2012. He was born on November 28, 1924, in Houston, the younger of two sons of Frances Dvorak Olexa and Frank Joseph Olexa, Jr. Erwin graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston and Texas A&M College in College Station. In 1946, he married Doris June Kuhn, and in the thirteen years that followed, they had six children. 

Erwin had a happy and carefree childhood in the company of his brother and several dear cousins and as a part of a larger, close-knit community of Czech immigrants. During his first year of college, when he was barely eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. After completing service at the close of World War II as a B-17 Bombardier with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, Erwin returned to college. In 1949, he earned a Bachelor of Architecture from, what was then, Texas A&M College.

Erwin was a practicing architect in Texas for more than sixty years, first in Bryan, then Orange, and in Beaumont from 1963 to 2010.  Early in his career, his mid-century modern home design was nationally recognized with Life Magazine and National Home Builders Association design award. His lifetime body of work is in a range of styles, but is similarly characterized by creative, high quality, and practical designs. He was especially proud of his projects for the school districts of east Texas, including Port Neches, Nederland, and Lumberton schools. During his years in Beaumont, Erwin was a partner in the firms of George Ingram and Associates and then Architectural Alliance, Inc. He so enjoyed his work and co-workers that he continued to go into the office well after his retirement and for as long as he was able.

He also loved the game of golf and played with longtime buddies and with his sons almost every week, “shooting his age” numerous times on the links. However, his greatest love was for his wife, Doris. Their sixty-seven years of marriage are a testament to a deep, devoted, and enduring love. He recognized her and their family together as his greatest blessings and thanked God each day for them.

Erwin was truly a man of integrity and a kind soul. We will remember his enthusiasm for life and learning, sense of fun, and engaging wit and humor. His children and grandchildren feel blessed to have had the immense gifts of his steadfast encouragement and love.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Olexa; children Bill Olexa and his wife, Kate, of Mandeville, Louisiana; Tim Olexa and his wife, Eva, of Houston; Kathy Steinman and her husband, John, of Austin; Jeff Olexa and his wife, Amy, of Houston; and daughters-in-law, Linda Olexa of Deer Park and Sue Olexa of Broaddus. He is survived by twelve grandchildren; Christopher Olexa and his wife, Kim, of Lumberton; Andrea and Diane Olexa of Mandeville; Tonya Smith and her husband, Josh residing in the country of Oman; Angela Gasque and her husband, Mack, of Deer Park; Travis Olexa and his wife Jacqueline; Brittney; Olexa, Corey, Kyle, and Paige Olexa, all of Houston; and Douglas and Claire Steinman of Austin. He is survived by five great-grandchildren; Brenden, Keith, and Clara Olexa of Lumberton, Noah Gasque of Deer Park, and Riley Smith, residing in Oman. He is also survived by his brother, Henry F. Olexa of Houston; his sisters-in-law, Evelyn Mathis of Houston; Ruby Porche and her husband, Kenneth, of San Luis Obispo, California; and Carliss Ann Carney of Chicago, Illinois; former daughter-in-law, Belinda Olexa of Houston; and many nieces and nephews, their children, and grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his sons, Michael Damian Olexa and Robert Thomas Olexa.

Erwin’s family is very grateful to all of the individuals at Harbor Hospice who tended to Erwin not only with outstanding services but with loving, compassionate hearts. We thank God for you…may He bless you all. 

A Rosary for Mr. Olexa will be recited at 10:30 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday December 29, 2012, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. The family will receive friends and family immediately afterward in the St. Anne Catholic Church Parish Hall, under the direction of Broussard’s 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 3, 2013, at Houston National Cemetery, 14140 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77703, or Harbor Hospice of Beaumont, 2450 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.