On Saturday, August 30, 2014, Newton M. Warzecha died peacefully in his sleep after a valiant battle with cancer. His last moments were spent in his SoHo Goliad home on the historic town square in Goliad, Texas surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Suzi Smith Warzecha; five dear children, N. Michael (Cynthia) and their daughter, Sarah, M. Patricia Thamm (Michael) and their children, Natalie, Madalynn, Russell, and Keegan, Andrea C. Cordell and her children, Jennifer, Geoffrey, Colin, Ruby, Clara, Olivia, and Vincent Newton, Elizabeth A. Morrell (Rob) and their children, Smith, Brooks, and Pierce, and Shanna H. Pennington (Jeff) and their children, Megan and Elizabeth. For sixteen years, he shared his love for his grandchildren with his wife, Suzi, during two weeks at Camp MiMi HaHa PaPa. He is also survived by his sister, Rose Tam and brothers, Vincent, Lad, Tony, and David. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Alissa Kathleen; his parents, Susie and Vincent Warzecha; and his brother, Bobby Warzecha.
Newton Warzecha was born in DeWitt County on October 30, 1934. He graduated from Cuero High School and The University of Texas at Austin. He served in the United States Army as an instructor in the Nike guided missile program. He spent eight years with Dow Chemical Company and 24 years as an investment advisor in Corpus Christi, Texas. While there, some of his community involvement included: President of Corpus Christi Hearing and Speech Center, Director of Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Beachcombers, and the Corpus Christi Yacht Club.
Newton became involved at Presidio La Bahia as a volunteer in 1991. That same year, he was asked to become its director. As the director, he was instrumental in the formation of the Presidio La Bahia Executive Board, the PLB Advisory board, and The Presidio La Bahia Foundation; working with them to expand and refurbish the museum. He wrote the script and produced the award winning video, Presidio La Bahia and its Place in the History of Texas. He was knighted into the Order of Sam Houston: Sons of the Republic of Texas for his strong stewardship in upholding the factual historical events which took place at Presidio La Bahia and The Texas Historical Commission presented him with The John Nau III Award for excellence in Museums. His Goliad Community involvement included: Goliad Chamber of Commerce (President) (“Citizen of the Year”) and City of Goliad: Architectural Review Board, Texas Rural Leadership Program-Leadership Goliad, Executive Board of MDD (chairman), President of the Goliad Heritage Council, Chairman of Goliad United for Growth, Member of the Texas State Historical Association, Member of the Crossroads of Texas Living History Association, Member of the Goliad County Historical Commission, Executive Board of TEXAS INDEPENDENCE TRAIL (chairman), and Steering Board for the Summerlee Foundation’s Goliad Master Interpretive Plan. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, sponsor of the Catholic Youth for several years, and was knighted by the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem in 1978.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2014, visitation will be held at Our Lady of Loreto Chapel at Presidio La Bahia from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., followed by a rosary in his memory. Thursday, September 4, 2014, the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Loreto Chapel at Presidio La Bahia at 11:00 a.m.
Donations to The Presidio La Bahia Foundation or Presidio La Bahia’s Friends of the Fort will be most treasured.
Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.
