John Joe Pechacek, known to most as "Johnny Joe," passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at House of Hope in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the age of 91 years.

Rosary and Vigil Service will be Thursday, October 3, at Aulds Funeral Home in Archer City, Texas, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 4, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Megargel, Texas, at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Windthorst, TX, under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home.

John was born March 8, 1933, in Crowell, Texas, to the late Emil Leopold Pechacek and Margaret Kovar Pechacek. John was a lifelong member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Megargel and lived in the Megargel area most of his life. He married Agnes Schroeder Pechacek on October 8, 1957, in Windthorst, Texas, and together they had four children.

John started farming and ranching at a young age and continued for over 70 years in Archer, Baylor, and Young counties, retiring in 2021 at the age of 88. During his early years, John had many supplemental jobs, including oilfield, feed sales, and insurance sales, to provide for his family. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children, starting them in the field very young, hauling hay, working livestock, or being on the tractor.

John was an active member of the Knights of Columbus throughout his life. At age 20, he joined as a First Degree member and later became a Second and Third Degree member. He then became a member of the Fourth Degree with the Windthorst KC Council in 1960. Over the years, John served as Grand Knight twice for the Megargel KC Council and held every elected officer position. He also served as District Deputy under five different Texas State Deputies on five separate occasions.

Additionally, John served as a Field Agent for Knights of Columbus Insurance from 1974 to 1996. He received numerous awards for insurance sales, covering a territory from Abilene, Texas to Lawton, Oklahoma. During his KC Insurance career, John was instrumental in establishing seven new Knights of Columbus councils in the Northcentral Texas area. In 2003, the Graham/Olney Council honored John for 50 years of dedicated service to the Knights of Columbus at a ceremony held in Olney, Texas.

In 2013, John was honored as a 75-year member of KJT (Katolicka Jednota Texaska - Czech for the Catholic Union of Texas). In 2015, John was recognized as one of the founding leaders of the Archer County Jr. Livestock Show, established in 1969. For over 15 years, he served in different roles on the ACJLS Board and Committees, gathering donations and supporting the youth exhibitors in Archer County. John also devoted several years to serving on the Megargel High School Board of Trustees.

John took great pride in his four children, all of whom graduated from Texas A&M University. He loved nothing more than going to Texas A&M football and basketball games with his family. John had a passion for playing dominoes and poker and seemed always to find a game going on wherever he was. In his later years, he found much joy in competing at the 50+ Zone in Wichita Falls, where he won numerous championships.

John is survived by longtime companion and friend, Alvina Lerner of Wichita Falls; one son, Julian Pechacek and wife, Amanda of Uvalde; three daughters, Valerie Clement and husband, Kyle of Lander, Wyoming; Deborah Bewley of Megargel, Texas; and Kathy Bailes and husband Jeff of Throckmorton, Texas; sister-in-law, Eleanor Pechacek of Las Vegas, Nevada; nine grandchildren, Joseph, Annie (Mike), Dunn (Marissa), Roan (Regan), Allison (Virgil), Matthew (Mae), Zachary, Joshua, and Korey; eight great-grandchildren, Brody, Blane, Mary Clare, BT, Eli, Rhett, Eleanor and Leo; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and his former wife of 23 years, Agnes Pechacek.

John was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Edwin and Jimmy Pechacek, and son-in-law, Alan Bewley.

The family wishes to thank the House of Hope and Hospice of Wichita Falls for their excellent care for John in his last years. In John's memory, the family suggests donations to St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Megargel, the Windthorst Knights of Columbus Council Fourth Degree, Hospice of Wichita Falls, House of Hope in Wichita Falls, or a charity of your choice.