Fred Pochyla

Fred Pochyla, 87, of Dallas and formerly of Waco, passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at his residence with his son by his side. Graveside services with military honors will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Jim Gray officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Mr. Pochyla was born in Waco, the youngest of five children, to Henry and Johannah (Itschner) Pochyla. In 1941, Mr. Pochyla was a ROTC Unit Commander at Texas A&M. In 1943, he was sent to Ft. Raleigh, Kansas in the Army Calvary Corp to serve our country in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. In 1944, he sailed to the Philippines and in 1945 he led the first occupational forces in Aomori Japan. A Commissioned Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Fred liberated a POW Camp in the northern end of Japan. Mr. Pochyla graduated from Texas A&M in the famed "Class of 1945" with a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He worked for Fox & Jacobs, Frymier Engineering and Preferred Heating and Air Conditioning. He lived in North Dallas for twenty years and retired on Cedar Creek Lake in Mabank Texas. Fred enjoyed a lifetime of hunting and fishing with his son. He was an avid bridge and domino player who also loved golf and traveling.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joanne (Hendrix) Pochyla; his brothers, Benjamin Pochyla, C. Alfred Pochyla and Herbert Pochyla.

He is survived by his sister, Floriene Marie Stern of Levelland, Texas; his son, Henry (Hank) Alfred Pochyla; Daughter-In-Law, Maryanne Groening Pochyla and granddaughter, Elisabeth Marie Pochyla all of Dallas; two adopted children, Royal Pochyla and Cheryl Pace; several nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, one may make a donation to their favorite charity.