Jerome Victor Frnka

Dr. Jerome Victor Frnka went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 17, 2013 after a long and valiant battle with a chronic illness with his loving wife by his side. Born in Garwood, Texas on July 20, 1941, he was a graduate of Garwood High School, Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M University. He was awarded his doctorate degree from Texas A&M and always took pride in being an Aggie. Jerome is survived by his wife of 47 years, Vickie Halbert Frnka; his son, Scott Anthony Frnka; his daughter, Laura Allison Davis; son-in-law, John Joseph Davis and four grandchildren: Matthew Robert Frnka, William Sawyer Frnka, Elizabeth Grace Frnka and Ethan Scott Frnka; sisters Rita Vanek and Jeanette Canaris; and a brother, Leroy Frnka, in addition to several nieces, nephews, great nephews and nieces and countless friends and neighbors. He is preceded in death by his mother, Laura Emily Frnka; his father, Frank William Frnka; his sisters, Madelyn Shimek and Genevieve Walters; his mother-in-law, Irene McCollum; his step-father in law, Robert McCollum; his father-in-law, John Halbert; sister in-law, Diann Stichler; and daughter-in law, Kayla Frnka. A man of great faith, Jerome served the Lord through various ministries at Trinity Episcopal Church in The Woodlands. In his most recent ministry before he became ill, Jerome took on the role of head gardener for the church grounds. Throughout his membership at Trinity, he has also served on the vestry, as acolyte director, on the altar guild, on the Petal Pushers ministry, in the Salvation Army soup kitchen and as a lay Eucharistic minister. He loved to sing and his voice was recognized by many. Jerome's love for his wife, children and grandchildren was without bounds. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren. As a husband, Jerome was devoted and loyal, loving his wife from the day he met her until the day he departed this life. His legacy of love, loyalty and devotion will endure. As a teacher, Jerome touched the lives of many students throughout his career. During his tenure at Klein High School, he took several teams to the UIL State Science contest, where his teams placed in the Top 5 or took first place. In 1999, Jerome was awarded for his hard work and dedication when he was presented with the Teacher of the Year Award in Klein Independent School District in the midst of recovering from quadruple bypass surgery in the summer of 1998. Jerome never did anything halfway. He put his whole heart and soul into everything he did, whether it was teaching, home improvement projects, baking cakes, helping his children with homework, beautifying the church grounds or worshipping God. Jerome was determined to walk his daughter down the aisle and give her away last January. And even though he was in excruciating pain, he not only walked her down the aisle, but was able to share a father/daughter dance. Those who loved him and called him Dad, Honey, Poppy, Uncle, brother or friend were blessed and their lives were enriched beyond measure. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends and neighbors.