Joseph Jezek

Joseph ""Joe"" Jezek, 91, passed away on 27 December 2016 at the North Unit, Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence in Aurora, Colorado. He resided for nearly 50 years in Carlsbad, California, moving to Colorado in 2011 to be closer to family. He was born on January 25, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska to Joseph Jezek and Anna (Beran) Jezek. Joe grew up in Omaha and Nebraska City, Nebraska. With the outbreak of World War II, Joseph joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 in 1942 and served for 20 years. He served in World War II, the Korean War, and was in the Bay of Pigs action in Cuba. He received 2 Purple Heart medals during his service. The Marine Corps assigned Joe to numerous duty stations over his 20 years of service. He retired in 1962 from the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, CA; achieving the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Joe married Virginia Pearl Evans in 1949 and to that union, Diana and Maryann were born. They were married for 13 years. Joseph married Katherine Wood Yarbrough in 1964 in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That marriage brought five active children from Katherine's previous marriage, and brought two more sons with Katherine into the family. They resided in Carlsbad, California. Joseph and Katherine were married for 37 years before she passed away in 2001. After Joe's military retirement he worked several jobs in the Oceanside area before finally starting a 25 year civil service position at Camp Pendleton as a handyman, retiring in 1990. Joseph was extremely gifted as a carpenter, electrician, and plumber, always taking care of his home and remodeling as the family grew over the years. Joe remodeled part of the house to provide Kay an office space for her tax business in the home. He loved working with wood and tending to the yard! Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Yarbrough Jezek, his parents Joseph and Anna Jezek, his sister Marie Jezek who died in childhood, his step-daughter Georjanna Johnson Woods (Robert), his daughter-in-law Jenine (Jim) Jezek and his great-grandson, Caleb Jezek. Joseph is survived by his children, Diana (John) Knight of Berkeley, California, Maryann (Jezek) Manchuelle of Ashland Oregon, Melvin (Halli) Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Christine (Leon) Wilson of Littleton Colorado, James Jezek of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Stephen Jezek of Vista, California, John (Sara) Jezek of Highland Ranch, Colorado, and Joseph (Collin Prillwitz) Jezek III of St. Joseph, Michigan, and numerous grand, and great-grandchildren. His was a full life indeed, well lived and well loved! A graveside service will be held at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1991 El Camino Real, Oceanside, California at 2:00 P.M. on February 10, 2017. Burial will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the North Unit, Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence, 1600 S Potomac Street, Aurora, Colorado 80012. Please specify the donation is to aid those in need of clothing and other services. Condolences and memories may be shared by signing the guestbook below.