Kouba

Jeanice Anne Yariger Kouba:

“Well, I really wasn’t ready to leave! There were many more gatherings to have, books to read, places to go, memories to be made, but, unfortunately, I passed away on March 10, 2021, at age 75.

“I was born in Victoria, Texas, on Jan. 24, 1946, to LaVerne Yariger Jr. and Mattie Jeanice Dobbins. I was the oldest of four children, Lee, Susie and Scott.

“I attended Victoria High School, graduating in 1964, then I attended Victoria College where I met my sweetheart, Charlie Kouba. We graduated in 1966, married a year later, and left for Texas A&M University where I worked as a secretary until Charlie graduated in 1969 with an electrical engineering degree.

“Charlie then accepted a position with Alcoa’s Point Comfort plant and we lived in Port Lavaca until 1977. During that time our two sons were born; Coy in 1970 and Keith in 1972! Then we transferred to Kingston, Jamaica for three years learning the ins-and-outs of a foreign residency while loving the beauty of the island, especially its covefilled beaches, friendly people, and reggae music.

“In 1980 we were transferred to Rockdale. We spent 30 years there where the boys flourished and I enjoyed being a wife and mom.

“I filled my time being a Cub Scout mom, volunteered with the United Way, worked as a substitute teacher, was active in St Joseph’s Catholic Church, and spent many afternoons with my ‘lunch bunch’ ladies. We loved the small-town atmosphere and made so many great friends whom we still kept in touch with up to this day.

“After the boys graduated from A&M and married, Charlie and I started traveling again. We really loved Europe with all its glory and pageantry, Ireland, Scotland, and England with its rough stony cliffs and moors; Alaska with its glaciers and wildlife; and Brazil with its vast Amazon River and jungles. We discovered that traveling is truly an education in itself.

“While in Rockdale, after 34 years, Charlie retired from Alcoa. He then decided to consult with Fluor engineering and after a few years we transferred back to Point Comfort, which is where we began our career so many years before.

“We always wanted to experience life on a beach, so we found ourselves down at Magnolia Beach living in an RV! While Charlie worked, I could see Alcoa across the Lavaca Bay. It was so much fun sitting on the pier watching the sea birds, shrimpers, and oyster catchers bring in their hauls for the day. Whenever the big tankers would come through, they would stir up the water; so I was often able to collect pretty shells and sea glass along the shoreline.

“It was during this time at Magnolia that we fell in love with our hometown again, so one evening after having a glass of wine and much contemplation, we decided to sell our Rockdale home and move back to Victoria!

“We absolutely loved living there again where we still had family, a few old friends, and acquaintances, and going to some of our old haunts of yesteryear. The Victoria College offered us intellectual stimulation, especially its Museum of the Coastal Bend, the Academy of Lifelong Learning and The Welder Center.

“I enjoyed the exhibits at The Nave, and often laughed about being in the Nave when I was 14 and it was still the Bronte Library. I wanted to check out Lolita which was popular at the time, but Helen Gross wouldn’t let me because she said my mother wouldn’t approve!

“Charlie and I were fortunate in having a good marriage that lasted many years. We had many joys and blessings throughout our lives and having our sons beside us was the greatest.

“We took our parenting jobs seriously, even reading the book by the famous baby care pediatrician of the 60’s, Dr. Benjamin Spock. Our family was complete with these two darling little boys. They loved and taught us so much and hopefully we did the same for them.

“Gosh, I will miss you! I hope you will remember me and continue to feel my spirit…in the quiet of the early morning sipping coffee, reading a book, looking at special photos, feeling the breeze on your cheek at the seashore, holding hands and not wanting to let go…

“I leave behind my love to Charlie, my husband of 53 years who was always my refuge, strength, and inspiration; to our sons, Coy and Keith, along with daughters-in-law, Jessica and Laura; our eight grandchildren who were also my pallbearers: Cade, Brianna, Bren, Sydney, MacKenzie, Sawyer, Christopher and Charlie. Then the remainder of all my family and friends.”

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.