Otto Hrncir (April 27, 1919 - August 5, 2009)Sir Knight Otto Hrncir was born in Hallettsville, Texas on April 27, 1919. Otto was a star athlete at Sugar Land High School, lettering four years in five sports. He played softball for Imperial Sugar Co. Otto also played Army and semi-pro baseball, winning MVP honors.
Otto served as an artillery [Staff] Sergeant in the Second Infantry Division during WWII, landing at Normandy, through the Battle of the Bulge, to Pilsn, Czechoslovakia, where he served during the Occupation. He served in the VFW and American Legion.
After the war, Otto became a foreman for Tyler Fixtures in Waxahachie, Texas. In 1951, he took a position as sales manager for Joe Polichino’s beer company in Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties. Ten years later, he assumed the distributorship along with two partners. He was known as a formidable competitor in business. He taught his children what he had learned in war, business, and sports: that their ultimate adversaries, whom they must constantly strive to overcome, were themselves. Otto lived for his family. He worked long hours for many years, but always found time for his children’s baseball and football games, plays, and musical performances. He also treasured family trips to the beach and fishing holes.
Next to his family, Otto loved his Catholic Faith. His service to the Church included seventy years in the Knights of Columbus, with almost fifty of those at the fourth degree level. He served as past faithful navigator, and captain of the state champion drill team.
Family was the world to Otto. He is preceded in death by his parents John Paul and Millie (Sciba) Hrncir, sisters; Anita and Janie Jakubik, and several brothers and sisters in-law. He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years; Gena Frances “Honey” Hrncir, brothers and sisters; Edwin Hrncir, Helmer Hrncir, Margaret Humpola, and Mickey Sebesta of Rosenberg, Leo Hrncir of Weimer, Guss Hrncir and wife Vinita of Amarillo, sons; Robert Hrncir and wife Loretta of Houston, Hal Hrncir and wife Debbie of West Columbia, daughter; Sharon Dennis of Nashville, TN, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many step-grand, great and great-great grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him.
