Leonard Henry Hotcaveg

Leonard Henry Hotcaveg, age 86, of Pasadena, Texas passed away on Tuesday June 4th, 2024 in Houston, Texas.  He was born on August 22nd, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois to Henry I. Hotcaveg and Jean Wojtas Hotcaveg.  Paternal grandparents Leo and Tillie Hotcaveg and maternal grandparents Stanley and Victoria Wojtas.  Brothers Howard and Kenneth Hotcaveg.  His family moved to the Rio Grande Valley when he was nine years of age. 

He lived in Pharr, Texas and graduated from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School in 1955.  During High School he worked at the stock yards, cotton gin, moving houses and other buildings.  He went to college in San Antonio, Texas where he studied electronics. 

Leonard married Vivian Edelman “my best friend” on December the 27th, 1956.  Together they had four beautiful daughters.  He worked hard throughout the years to provide for his family.  Leonard worked as a radio and TV repairman, a milk delivery man with Hygeia Company and a policeman with the Pharr Police Department. 

The family moved to Brownville, Texas in 1962 and then relocated to Bellmead, Texas in 1967 where Leonard worked as an electrical engineer at the A.O.S. Smith bomb plant making bombs for the Vietnam War.  Most weekends you could find Leonard on the dirt track racing his favorite #1 racecar.  He loved spending time in his little red boat on Lake Waco fishing.

After the war and with the closure of the plant, the family moved to Pasadena, Texas in 1969.  He was employed with Reynolds Aluminum where he was responsible for the electrical operations of Reynolds Metals Can Plant facility.  After the plant closed operations, Leonard retired after 45-years working as an electrical technician.

After retirement, Len found passion traveling the states with Vivian.  He ensured they traveled in style, frequently upgrading to the newest RV/ motor home with all the bells and whistles.  He was on many hunting leases and was especially fond of hunting on horseback in Colorado.  After spending time fishing on Toledo Bend Reservoir, they purchased lakefront property where you could find them fishing and outdoors working on improving the property.

At home, you could find Leonard outside working in his yard, vegetable garden and planting colorful flowers.  He spent many hours in his workshop where he made various crafts.  One of his hobbies was working on his old trucks and cars.  If something needed fixed, he could fix it.  He enjoyed all the modern electronics, especially his “Alexa” who he spent many hours singing along with.

Leonard was a Catholic Christian who loved his wife and family.  There were many family gatherings with Christmas being his favorite holiday.  He spent many hours decorating, even winning holiday community awards for best decorations.  He attended Saint Hyacinth Catholic Church where he was an active Knights of Columbus member of the Deer Park Council #10574 and earned the Fourth Degree with Knights of Columbus.  Leonard volunteered for the Red Cross where he helped assist the local community when needed. 

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Jean Hotcaveg, his brother Howard Hotcaveg, sister-in-law Mary Hotcaveg, nephew Steven Hotcaveg, son-in-law Gary Boring, son-in-law Stephen Ashby and great-granddaughter Taylor Kinsey.

He is survived by his wife of 67-years, Vivian Edelman-Hotcaveg, by his daughters, Cindy Voltz (Randy), Carol Ashby (Jimmy), Kim Hotcaveg-Farris (Brad), Dianna Powell (TJ) and brother Kenneth Hotcaveg (Carole). He gained the name Pepo when he was blessed with nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation with family and friends will be held Monday, June 10th, 2024, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Rosary to follow 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m in the Chapel of Deer Park Funeral Directors, 336 E San Augustine Street; Deer Park, TX 77536

Mass Service will be held Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, 1:00 p.m.at Saint Hyacinth Catholic Church, 2921 Center Street; Deer Park, TX 77536

Lunch will be provided following the Mass Service at St. Hyacinth Guyot Hall.

Serving as pallbearers are Justin Brown, Angel Cereceres, Brad Farris, Dewitt Knight IV, TJ Powell, Derek Powell, Jimmy Pyeatt and Chris Schramek.

You are invited to leave a written condolence at www.deerparkfuneraldirectors.com.

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