George Otto Hadac, 88, of Nacogdoches passed away May 2, 2011.
He was born January 9, 1923, to Joseph and Julia (Juranek) Hadac in Chicago, Illinois. He joined the Marines in World War II and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he was a flight instructor. He remained in the Reserves as a pilot, even flying jets, until he had served his 20 years for full retirement at the rank of Major. He was one of the first groups that went to college on the GI Bill – attending and graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in teaching.
He moved to Arizona in 1954 and began by teaching Physical Education and eventually Industrial Arts, becoming the Coordinator for the whole district. He taught courses in Industrial Arts as a summer course in Northern Arizona University for a number of years. He retired after 30 years of teaching, returning to Nacogdoches, Texas.
He was a capable carpenter and built two of the houses in which he lived, including installing the electrical and plumbing, block laying and all else to complete the houses. He also built furniture.
He liked to hunt and fish and enjoyed a good fight with a large fish! He enjoyed playing cards and was even in some bridge tournaments in the area. He loved music and was a member of the Joyful Sound Choir of Calvary Baptist Church, where he was a longtime member. He was a member of Nacogdoches County Retired Teachers Association and AARP.
He always had a beautiful smile and was ready to lend a helping hand when needed. He also liked to tell his “stories” of flying and other things he had done.
He is survived by his wife, Bettie Sue (White); daughter, Georgia Musselman and husband, Gary, of Mesa, Arizona; granddaughter, Carol Dobbs and husband, Joseph, of Djibouti, Africa; grandson, Paul Johnson and wife, Lisa, of Chandler, Arizona; great-grandchildren Andrew & Lydia Dobbs and Elijah, Micah & Caleb Johnson. Also surviving are step-daughters Marilou Smith of Nacogdoches; Suzanne Baldon and husband, Paul, of Waco; Lori (Brown) Stevens and husband, Bobby, of Suwanee, Georgia; and step-son Robert Brown of Shelbyville; step-grandchildren, Amber Smith, John-Philip Mahfood, Sebastian Mahfood, Vincent Mahfood, Valerie Mahfood, Jennifer Holm, Jessica Fenton, T.J. Brown, and Robbie Brown. They added numerous great-grandchildren to complete a very large and loving family. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 55 years, Yevonne (Sanders); his parents; sisters, Mamie Hadac and Molly Furst; and brother, Joseph Hadac.
We all will miss his wonderful smile!
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, located at 5400 North St., Nacogdoches, with Brother Bill Taylor and Pastor Paul Sevar officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, located at 5127 North St., Nacogdoches.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 9, 2011, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A special thank you goes to Rhonda Pruitt Henry, Sh-Donna Pruitt, Ashley Jones, Kim Pruitt, Cousinis Jones, and Mary Jackson for taking special care of him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nacogdoches Senior Center, 621 Harris, Nacogdoches, Texas 75964; or Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 3732 N.E. Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965.
Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches. Condolences may be offered online at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.
