Robert Michael Jelinek, 72, of Beaumont, passed away February 14, 2016, at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital following a lengthy illness. Known to many as Mike, he was born on September 19, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. As a small child, his family moved to Beaumont where he would spend the remainder of his life.
The child of Frank and Margaret Jelinek, Mike graduated from Beaumont High School in 1961. After graduation, he attended the University of Texas and then Lamar University. Later he moved back to Beaumont where he married the love of his life, Lynn Sory, in 1965. During the Vietnam War, Mike faithfully served his country by serving six years in the Army National Guard.
Vocationally, Mike began his career in the banking industry but soon found his footing in the construction business. He began in paving and material sales, however, eventually his skill of highway project estimation and on-site supervision would become his life’s work. In 1979, Mike began a lengthy assignment for Bo-Mac Contractors in Beaumont. While at Bo-Mac, he supervised the paving division and estimated state highway projects. Upon the closing of Bo-Mac’s paving division in 2001, he began employment with Williams Brothers Construction of Houston where he worked until the day of his hospitalization; Thanksgiving Day 2015. During the last few years at Williams Brothers, Mike served as supervisor of the Interstate 10 construction jobs from Beaumont to the state line of Louisiana making sure the highway was constructed according to the specifications of the Texas Department of Highways.
Mike was also very active in professional organizations that represent the construction industry. The Association of General Contractors elected him to several positions from 2001-2015 at the local and state level which included Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Beaumont area chapter.
Whatever the circumstances of his employment, work ran a distant second to all things family. Little League baseball, youth football, ballet recitals, hunting, fishing and many other of his children’s endeavors were what mattered to him. Simply put, he was a man of service to his family, at all cost and under any circumstance.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lynn; three children, Christopher, of Jackson, Mississippi; Allison and Bill Brown of Lakeway, Texas; and Patrick of Midland, Texas; his four grandchildren which he adored, Grace Ann Brown, a student at LSU; and Will Brown; Lilly Brown; and Caroline Brown, all of Lakeway; and half-brother, Frank Rudolph Jelinek of Arlington, Texas.
A gathering of Mr. Jelinek’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 19, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 20, 2016, at Broussard’s. His cremation arrangements will be held through Broussard’s Crematorium.
The family request that memorial contributions be made to the organization of your choice.
