Pete Catalina

Pete Anthony Catalina, 72, of Waco, passed away early Saturday morning, April 25, 2015.

A Vigil Service will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at the OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque, Waco.

Visitation with the family will begin at 5 p.m. and continue from 6:30-8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1p.m. Thursday, April 30, at St Anthony Catholic Church, 401 S. Parker St., Bryan, TX. Visitation in Bryan will begin at noon at the church. Burial will follow the mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Bryan.

Known as "Short Pete" by his extended Italian-American family, he was born on Dec. 14, 1942, in Bryan to Tony Pete and Pauline Cucha Catalina. Pete's strong Catholic faith was a guidestone for his life, and he was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church in Waco, where he was active in the Men's Club. He expressed his love for others by joyously cooking for large groups, and his "Low Country Boil" was known far and wide. He also lived his faith by volunteering at the Waco VA Hospital, serving his fellow veterans.

During an outstanding 30-year career as a top agriculture salesman and regional director for international firms Ciba-Geigy and ICI/Zeneca, his church and family were always most important to him.

Pete married the love of his life, Lana Kay Jerden on June 3, 1972. Together, they lived in seven states, from Hawaii to Florida, and moved to Waco in 1998. Along the way, they were blessed by two wonderful children, Paul Anthony Catalina and Laura Anne Catalina Lilley.

Pete also had a life-long interest in sports. In elementary school, Pete's Pee Wee football team won the league title, and while attending Stephen F Austin High School (now Bryan High), he played both football and baseball for the Broncos. Pete was High Man in the Nation on the 4H livestock judging team, attaining a record score that has never been broken. He was also a member of the National Champion Brazos County Poultry Judging Team and was voted "Mr. Personality" by his 1961 graduating class.

At Texas A&M Pete was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Class of 1965. After receiving his bachelor's degree in medical entomology, Captain Catalina served three years in the Army (1967-70), including a front-line tour as commanding officer of the 926th Medical Detachment in Vietnam. Years later, he continued his education with an associate's degree from McLennan Community College and graduate work at Tarleton State University.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lena Catalina Roberts.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by Laura's husband, Brandon Lilley of Waco; grandchildren Luke, Leo, Hana and Angel; a sister, Pauline Catalina Yarbrough of Dallas and her husband Bert and a brother, John Charles Catalina and his wife Suzie of Bryan.

Pallbearers will be Matt Yarbrough, Mark Yarbrough, Nick Catalina, John Anthony Catalina, Paul Ray Roberts, Milton Catalina and John Michael Catalina. Honorary Pallbearers include Kyle Lewie, Harvey Schultz, Tommy Carter and Tom Warnock.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Louis Catholic School of Waco, 2208 N. 23rd Street, Waco, TX 76708 (www.stlouiswaco.org) or St. Jerome Social a Justice Ministry, 9820 Chapel Road, Wood TX 76712.