Obituary for Michael J. Sodek
Michael John Sodek, age 57, of Bruceville, TX, passed away on Sunday November 1, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loving family after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer.
Memorial service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Renew Church in Waco, 6509 Bosque Blvd, with Pastor Jim Daniels officiating. Entrance to the chapel will be off of Fishpond Road. Facial covering and social distancing will be required.
Michael was born August 6, 1963 to John and Lilian Sodek of Waco. He graduated from Reicher Catholic High in 1982 and in 1984 joined the Navy where he served on the USS Horne CG-30 in San Diego, California. For 6 years serving on that ship, in 1990 went to school for Master at Arms upon completion of MA school he transferred to San Antonio stationed at Lackland Air Force base where he not only became a trainer for Military working dogs, but also taught new trainees how to train their dogs. In November of 1993 left the Military to be with his family in Waco where he started working as an Animal Control Officer.
After 8 years of serving the city of Waco, he decided to return to a company he worked for in his high school years, H-E-B grocery. He restarted his career there as a checker in the Hewitt Drive location. Over his 17 years, quickly rose to the challenge of completing the School of Retail Management and became a titled Manager In Charge for H-E-B. His last 10 years of H-E-B service was spent in the Marlin H-E-B where he was heavily involved in the community.
He started the Veterans program at Marlin High School the purpose of this program was to teach the next generation the importance of honoring and remembering our Veterans. This program has been running for over 6 years. Other programs he was involved with through H-E-B was the Veterans Day Parade in Marlin, Operation Appreciation, The Annual Feast of Sharing, and involved with Marlin’s American Legion where every year they would find several Veteran families in need of a Holiday meal and provide it.
On September 5, 1986 he married the love of his life Mary Atwood of San Diego, California, where he accepted Mary’s son, William Morris, as his own. On April 26, 1987 their second child, Kameron Bryce was born. On January 8, 1991 had their 3rd child, Kaitlin May, on May 19, 1994 had their fourth child, Kainen Lewis, and then their 5th child on July 4, 1996 Kelsey Rose.
Michael enjoyed baking bread, fishing, woodworking, paracord, and numerous activities with his children such as playing video games, basketball, baseball, frisbee, putt-putt, go-karts, lazer-tag, playing dominoes, and provided humor with mass variety of dad jokes. He always wanted to do what his children wanted to do together. Michael’s love wasn't just for his family, but extended to any active duty and/or Veterans and would go out of his way to shake their hand and thank them for their service.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Kaitlin, his son Kainen, his father, John, and his grandparents.
Survivors include his mother Lillian Sodek of Waco, wife Mary, his children William & wife Ana Morris of San Diego, California, Kameron & wife Barbara Sodek of Austin, Texas, Kelsey Sodek of Temple, Texas, grandchildren Miranda France & Dalex Morris of San Diego, California, great-grandson Michael Gonzalez III and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mikes Warriors Facebook Page.
Rest in peace Michael. We have the watch.
Memorial service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Renew Church in Waco, 6509 Bosque Blvd, with Pastor Jim Daniels officiating. Entrance to the chapel will be off of Fishpond Road. Facial covering and social distancing will be required.
Michael was born August 6, 1963 to John and Lilian Sodek of Waco. He graduated from Reicher Catholic High in 1982 and in 1984 joined the Navy where he served on the USS Horne CG-30 in San Diego, California. For 6 years serving on that ship, in 1990 went to school for Master at Arms upon completion of MA school he transferred to San Antonio stationed at Lackland Air Force base where he not only became a trainer for Military working dogs, but also taught new trainees how to train their dogs. In November of 1993 left the Military to be with his family in Waco where he started working as an Animal Control Officer.
After 8 years of serving the city of Waco, he decided to return to a company he worked for in his high school years, H-E-B grocery. He restarted his career there as a checker in the Hewitt Drive location. Over his 17 years, quickly rose to the challenge of completing the School of Retail Management and became a titled Manager In Charge for H-E-B. His last 10 years of H-E-B service was spent in the Marlin H-E-B where he was heavily involved in the community.
He started the Veterans program at Marlin High School the purpose of this program was to teach the next generation the importance of honoring and remembering our Veterans. This program has been running for over 6 years. Other programs he was involved with through H-E-B was the Veterans Day Parade in Marlin, Operation Appreciation, The Annual Feast of Sharing, and involved with Marlin’s American Legion where every year they would find several Veteran families in need of a Holiday meal and provide it.
On September 5, 1986 he married the love of his life Mary Atwood of San Diego, California, where he accepted Mary’s son, William Morris, as his own. On April 26, 1987 their second child, Kameron Bryce was born. On January 8, 1991 had their 3rd child, Kaitlin May, on May 19, 1994 had their fourth child, Kainen Lewis, and then their 5th child on July 4, 1996 Kelsey Rose.
Michael enjoyed baking bread, fishing, woodworking, paracord, and numerous activities with his children such as playing video games, basketball, baseball, frisbee, putt-putt, go-karts, lazer-tag, playing dominoes, and provided humor with mass variety of dad jokes. He always wanted to do what his children wanted to do together. Michael’s love wasn't just for his family, but extended to any active duty and/or Veterans and would go out of his way to shake their hand and thank them for their service.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Kaitlin, his son Kainen, his father, John, and his grandparents.
Survivors include his mother Lillian Sodek of Waco, wife Mary, his children William & wife Ana Morris of San Diego, California, Kameron & wife Barbara Sodek of Austin, Texas, Kelsey Sodek of Temple, Texas, grandchildren Miranda France & Dalex Morris of San Diego, California, great-grandson Michael Gonzalez III and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mikes Warriors Facebook Page.
Rest in peace Michael. We have the watch.