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Charlie Hajek, Jr., age 89 of Waller, passed away on December 13, 2025.

Charlie was born in Waller County on Aug. 6th, 1936, and graduated from Waller High School in 1955.  After graduation his family moved to Praha TX.  He joined the Army in 1959 and completed basic training in Fort Carson, CO and Fort Sill, OK.  He was then stationed in Fort Bragg, NC where he achieved the rank of Specialist 4th Class. He continued to serve as an Army Reserve until 1965.

Charlie worked for United Salt Mine in Hockley from 1962 to 1966, when he was offered a job by Benjamin Moore in Houston. He accepted that position and worked for Benjamin Moore until his retirement in 1994.

Charlie was a dedicated husband, father and Papa. He and Gertie married on Oct 23, 1966, and shared 59 years of marriage. Charlie loved his family more than anything. He always showed up loud and proud to support his kids, whether at volleyball, basketball, baseball or football games, band concerts, dance recitals, FFA shows or just life itself.  Charlie loved his kids, but he found a whole new kind of love when the grandchildren came along. He loved his grandkids with passion, each and every one of them.

Charlie was kind, generous and thoughtful. He was a great storyteller and loved to share stories about his childhood or army days in a good long conversation. Two-hour phone calls were common. He was quick-witted, always with a smile on his face and a laugh to share. Charlie had a gift for gardening. He could grow anything and enjoyed sharing his spoils with anyone that visited.

We will miss him terribly, but we are grateful for the laughs, wisdom, memories and faith he leaves us with.

He is preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Cecelia Hajek; sister Cecelia Hajek; brothers Clarence Hajek and Eddie Hajek; brother-in-law Ben Smolik; sister-in-law Patricia Hajek.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Gertrude Hajek; son Brian Hajek and wife Lisa; daughters Karen Botzong and husband Michael, Kimberly Bray and husband Glen; brother Victor Hajek and wife Celesta; sister-in-law Deloris Smolik grandchildren Ashton Miller, Matthew Botzong, Ashley Muchow, Heather Christel, Hannah Bray, Kendall Marshall, Gracie Hajek, Kyle Marshall, Jacob Hajek, Lucas Bray; 6.5 great grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 4-7pm at Canon Funeral Home. A rosary will follow at 7pm. Funeral Services will be Friday, December 19, 2025 at 10am at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church with Fr. Xavier Bilavendiran officiating. Interment will follow at 3pm at Praha Catholic Cemetery with Fr. Gabriel Maison officiating.