Bernard Andrew Mokry was called home to the Lord Jesus Monday evening May 8, 2023.
He was born Dec. 15, 1937, in a farm house east of Granger. He was the third child of Anna Marie (Marek) Mokry and Frank Joseph Mokry. He lived on the farm with six brothers, Frank, Gilbert, Andrew, Raymond, Alfred and Alphonse with one sister Gertrude (Mokry) Krenek.
Bernard loved that farm that he grew up on, and wanted so much in later years to be back on it again. He went to school in Granger at St. Cyril and Methodius through eighth grade.
He then went to St.
Mary’s High School in Taylor. He went from there to the U.S. Air Force in 1955. He served there through 1958, and was promoted from enlisted man to staff sergeant during that time. He spent over two and a half years in Japan in the high mountains as an occupation force there. He ran teletype with morse code.
Bernard came back to Texas where he joined the Dept. of Public Safety in January 1959.
He initially worked as a dispatcher for the highway patrol and later on was a network controller for his 49 years there. He was well known around the state either on the radio or telephone just by his voice.
He received a 50-year service to the state, including military time and then worked close to three more years before retiring.
Bernard married Shirley (Witte) Mokry Aug. 1, 1959, at St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Granger. They had three children David, Darrell and Monica.
They also had grandchildren Nicholaus, Nathan, Jacob, Ethan, Jordan and Bethany Mokry. They also have several great grandchildren.
Bernard loved farming and after moving back to Taylor in 1971, he acquired several hundred acres of farm land to rent while he still worked at DPS. He continued farming through the rest of his life with less acres. He was a very loving dad with the most giving heart possible to the people he loved and to his pets. He loved his dog Lacey and would do anything for her.
An evening wake will be held for him from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor. A funeral service will be held Friday May 19, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Granger.
