Obituary for Gerard Thomas Shodrock
Gerard T. “Buck” Shodrock was born August 2, 1950 in San Antonio, Texas the son of John Shodrock, Sr., and Rosie Shodrock (Stanush). Buck went to be with his Heavenly Father at the age of 70 years after battling an acute illness.
After high school, Gerard attended San Antonio College and joined the police academy when he turned 21 starting his career in law enforcement with the Live Oak Police Department. By the time he was 25, he was appointed as chief of police. Seeing no future as a small-town police chief, he went to work for the State of Texas in 1977. His plan was to attend law school when he married the love of his life Deborah S. Wiatrek on November 22, 1980. He continued his education at Southwest Texas State University and later retired from the State of Texas in 2011 as a Lieutenant with the Department of Public Safety. Gerard was a Life member and served as a chairman in 1989 and again 2001 for the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. Gerard loved ranching and working with his cattle. He was active in his church, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in St. Hedwig where he started the papa patrol, scheduled, and trained Eucharist Ministers and helped maintain the church grounds weekly. He was also a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police, Guadalupe Valley Peace Officers Association, Department of Public Safety Officers Association, and Holy Name Society at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Gerard was a very loving, dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, he loved his family dearly, especially his four grandchildren. He was very fond of and kind to all animals and had many rescue dogs and a rescue turkey named “Tom”. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. He always cherished the times spent with his family and pets.
Gerard was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Stein, Joanne Cary, Dorothy Currier; brothers, John Shodrock, Jr., Donald Shodrock; father-in-law, Frank Wiatrek. He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie; children Melissa Shodrock Felux (Preston), Megan Shodrock Mainz (Casey); grandchildren, Bryce Lee Felux, Blake Gerard Felux, Emily Elizabeth Mainz, Isabel Magnolia Mainz; siblings Joe Shodrock (Margaret), David Shodrock (Charlotte), Nancy Shodrock, Diane Miller (Dan), Carol Gawlik, Tommy Shodrock (Roweena), sister-in-law, Marcy Shodrock, Charles Shodrock (Jennifer); numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
A visitation and Rosary will take place Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm with Rosary being recited at 7:00 pm at Finch Funeral Chapel, La Vernia. Due to the current pandemic restrictions the family will hold a memorial Mass in Buck’s honor at a later date. The Rosary will be live streamed from Debbie Shodrock’s Facebook page starting at 7:00 pm.
Graveside Service
Thursday, January 21, 2021
10:00 AM
Annunciation BVM Catholic Cemetery
St. Hedwig, Texas
Father Bill Zadora will officiate the service with interment following. Only immediate family allowed at the graveside others are welcome to watch from their cars or live stream from Debbie's Facebook page.
The online guestbook can be signed at www.FinchFuneralChapels.com
After high school, Gerard attended San Antonio College and joined the police academy when he turned 21 starting his career in law enforcement with the Live Oak Police Department. By the time he was 25, he was appointed as chief of police. Seeing no future as a small-town police chief, he went to work for the State of Texas in 1977. His plan was to attend law school when he married the love of his life Deborah S. Wiatrek on November 22, 1980. He continued his education at Southwest Texas State University and later retired from the State of Texas in 2011 as a Lieutenant with the Department of Public Safety. Gerard was a Life member and served as a chairman in 1989 and again 2001 for the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. Gerard loved ranching and working with his cattle. He was active in his church, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in St. Hedwig where he started the papa patrol, scheduled, and trained Eucharist Ministers and helped maintain the church grounds weekly. He was also a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police, Guadalupe Valley Peace Officers Association, Department of Public Safety Officers Association, and Holy Name Society at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Gerard was a very loving, dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, he loved his family dearly, especially his four grandchildren. He was very fond of and kind to all animals and had many rescue dogs and a rescue turkey named “Tom”. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. He always cherished the times spent with his family and pets.
Gerard was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Stein, Joanne Cary, Dorothy Currier; brothers, John Shodrock, Jr., Donald Shodrock; father-in-law, Frank Wiatrek. He is survived by his loving wife, Debbie; children Melissa Shodrock Felux (Preston), Megan Shodrock Mainz (Casey); grandchildren, Bryce Lee Felux, Blake Gerard Felux, Emily Elizabeth Mainz, Isabel Magnolia Mainz; siblings Joe Shodrock (Margaret), David Shodrock (Charlotte), Nancy Shodrock, Diane Miller (Dan), Carol Gawlik, Tommy Shodrock (Roweena), sister-in-law, Marcy Shodrock, Charles Shodrock (Jennifer); numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
A visitation and Rosary will take place Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm with Rosary being recited at 7:00 pm at Finch Funeral Chapel, La Vernia. Due to the current pandemic restrictions the family will hold a memorial Mass in Buck’s honor at a later date. The Rosary will be live streamed from Debbie Shodrock’s Facebook page starting at 7:00 pm.
Graveside Service
Thursday, January 21, 2021
10:00 AM
Annunciation BVM Catholic Cemetery
St. Hedwig, Texas
Father Bill Zadora will officiate the service with interment following. Only immediate family allowed at the graveside others are welcome to watch from their cars or live stream from Debbie's Facebook page.
The online guestbook can be signed at www.FinchFuneralChapels.com