Leonard Szymaszek

Leonard C. Szymaszek passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2015.

He was born in Bremond, Robertson County, Texas on November 13, 1929 to Joe P. and Victoria (Vickie Kronenberger) Szymaszek. He attended St. Mary Parochial School and Bremond High School where he graduated in May of 1948 as the Valedictorian of his class.

Leonard entered the U.S. Army in July of 1948 and reinlisted in March of 1952. Upon discharge from the Army in January 1954, Leonard enrolled to attend the University of Houston. In 1955 he married Dorothy J. Smith of Annitson, Alabama and subsequently relocated to Anniston. In 1957 Leonard enlisted into the U.S. Airforce.

During his military career, Leonard served in several exciting and interesting places and duties. In 1962 he was stationed at Homestead AFB, Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was liaison in coordinating various functions on the base for the influx of military personnel arriving in support of the mission. In 1967 and 1968, while serving in Vietnam, he again was a liaison in coordinating equipment air drops on the Ho Chi Min trail; identifying the locations and performance of equipment dropped, and sending reports to the Pentagon. In 1972 and 1973 Leonard was a member of the Tactical Air Command Inspector General team evaluating various Air Force units in the U.S. for combat readiness.

During his military career, Leonard completed work for his bachelors degree at Christopher Newport College of the College of William and Mary while stationed at Langley AFB, Virginia.

After serving in Alaska, Vietnam, Thailand and various U.S. bases, his final assignment was Bergstrom, AFB, Austin, Texas. During his military service Leonard was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorius Service Medal, several commendations medals and several other decorations.

Leonard retired from the U.S. Air Force on March 1, 1977 as a Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) after completing over 22 years of military service. Upon retirement, he was employed by the Internal Revenue Service in the Austin Regional Service Center. In 1979, Leonard was hired as an Internal Revenue Agent in the Austin district. After serving in that capacity for 10 years he retired from the IRS in December, 1990.

During retirement, Leonard enjoyed travelling with his co-pilot Carol, gardening, fishing and deer hunting.

Leonard was preceded in death by his first two wives, Dorothy J. Smith and Marion Krakovec of Iron City, Michigan; his parents, one brother, Floyd Szymaszek; two half sisters, Willie (Szymaszek) Staskey and Christine Szymaszek.

He is survived by his wife Carol Szymaszek of Bastrop, TX; step children Eddie Hamm and wife Bellen of Chesapeake, VA; Frank Hamm of Katy, TX; Andrea L. (Hamm) Bradley of Anniston, AL; Lewis Muecke and wife Luanne of Bacliff, TX; Michael Muecke of Round Rock, TX; David Muecke of Friendswood, TX; brother, Larry Szymascek and his wife Reba of Sugar Land, TX; sisters Frieda Eubanks of Jasper, TX; Lucy Porter of Garland, TX; 13 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 26, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m at the First Assembly of God Church, 609 Pecan St., Bastrop, Texas and the funeral services will also be held at the church at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2015. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Smithville, Texas.

Pallearers are Mathew Muecke, Luke Muecke, Aaron Muecke, Morgan Muecke, Andrew Hamm and Scott Bartleson.

Arrangements by All Faiths of the Pines, 110 American Legion Rd., Smithville, Texas, 512.237.3836.