Patricia Jalufka

Patricia Leonard Jalufka passed away May 23, 2017 in Corpus Christi, Texas at the age of 89. Born on February 8, 1928 in Dallas, Texas, Patricia was the only child of Henry Hotchkiss Leonard and Nina Belle Brown Leonard. She is one of the last descendants of Solomon Langdon Leonard, founder of Leonard, Texas. Patricia graduated from Odessa High School in 1946. After graduation from high school, she enrolled in Christian College for Women in Columbia, Missouri graduating in 1948 with an Associate of Arts degree. Patricia continued her education at Texas Christian University earning a B.A. in English in 1950. She imparted her love of learning as a teacher both in Odessa, Texas from 1951 to 1954 and then in Corpus Christi, Texas through 1958. A move to Houston, Texas took her to Tennessee Gas Transmission as a file analyst from 1958 to 1960 upon which time she returned to Corpus Christi. There she taught at both Furman Elementary and Schanen Elementary Schools prior to her marriage to Jerome E. Jalufka in 1962. She enjoyed a lifelong membership at St. Johns United Methodist Church where she attended the Friendship Sunday School Class for more than 40 years. She was a member of the Friday Mid-Morning Group, League of Women Voters, The Red Hat Society, PTA, Zeta Tau Alpha and was an avid Garden Club member. Patricia became a lifetime member of the American Association of University Women in 2016 celebrating 50 years of membership. She treasured her friends and final years at Trinity Towers where she was an active member of the community. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome E. Jalufka; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Leonard. Survivors include her daughter, Kim J. Hohle and son, Jerome H. Jalufka both of Corpus Christi, Texas; step-daughter, Debbie L. Dysart of Leander, Texas and step-son, John L. Jalufka and wife, Terri of Corpus Christi, Texas; sisters-in-law, Barbara Williams of Robstown, Texas and Mary Frances Studer and husband, Ralph of Fredericksburg, Texas; brother-in-law, Earl Jalufka, and wife, Dee of Robstown, Texas; cousin, Libby (Elizabeth) Leonard Ericson of Santa Fe, New Mexico and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church, 5300 S. Alameda St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78412. Interment will follow at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery in Violet, Texas.