Jim Fojtik, age 93, of Bay City went to be with the Lord and his loving wife, Ollie, on June 25, 2012. He was born in Jackson County, Texas, on February 26, 1919, to Frank and Bessie Tomasek Fojtik.

Jim was an amazing man and his life speaks for itself. He was a faithful man: he was faithful to his family, to his church, to his neighbors, to his country. Jim cared for his wife until the day of her death. He was a loving father. He loved spending time with his children and was always there when they needed him. His grandchildren were special to him. He was "Uncle Jimo" to many children not his own. He tended to the church, inside and out, with reverence. Everyone who was blessed to know him loved and respected him. He was honest, kind, with a wonderful sense of humor, and always a gentleman.
Jim proudly served his country for 48 years, from 1938 to 1986. He joined the United States Army in January of 1938, and retired on January 31, 1960. During World War II, beginning in 1942, he served with the 9th Infantry Division campaigns in Casablanca, North Africa; Tunisia; Sicily; England; Normandy Beach, France, going ashore on Day 6 after D-Day; Belgium; and Germany. After the European Campaign he was stationed in Italy, then West Germany. In 1949 he returned to the States and was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division in Ft. Hood, Texas. From 1951 to retirement Jim's tours of duty took him and his family to Baumholder, Germany; Nancy Ordinance Depot, France; and Fort Bliss, Texas. In April, 1960, Jim went to work for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Lock Operator. He retired from the Corps on September 3, 1986.

After his retirement Jim kept busy with his "ranch," taking care of his cattle and garden. His second job during this time was to mow lawns, mostly for elderly folks.

Survivors include his daughter, Helen and Bill Moran; sons Lacy Fojtik and Kit Mok, and Michael and Leah Fojtik; grandchildren, James and Summer Moran, Meghann and Kevin Bass, Alexis Fojtik, Braeden Fojtik, and Landon Fojtik; great grandchild Daniel James Bass; sisters, Hattie and Dick Poole, Bessie Hutson, Agnes Fikes, and Mary Valka. He also is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ollie Marie Crosson Fojtik, sisters Lillian Polensky and Annie Kucera, and brothers Albert Fojtik, Frank Fojtik, and Louis Fojtik.

Pallbearers will be Lacy Fojtik, Michael Fojtik, Bill Moran, James Moran, Louis John Fojtik, Ray Allen Polensky, Tommy Fikes, and Ricky Poole. Honorary pallbearers will be Helen Moran, Bill Fojtik, Robert Fojtik, Wesley Fojtik, Auddie Hutson, Gordon Hutson, Gary Poole, Jeff Poole, Joe Valka, Loddie Valka, and Steve Valka.

The celebration of Jim's life well-lived will be Thursday, June 28, at 2:30 pm at the First Pentecostal Church, 700 Avenue I, Bay City, Texas with Dr. Marvin Moore and Rev. Wayne Neyland officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Pentecostal Church, P. O. Box 1644, Bay City, Texas 77404.

The family thanks those who helped care for Jim including Iris Chenault, Jennifer Childers, Julianne Collins, Dora Flores, Miranda Howell, Harriet Janise, Cody Jones, Tonya Piwonka, Sarah Sanabria, Julie Schuster, Raquel Solis, and Jerrica Weathers.