1922
Edward
2009
Edward A Kutac
April 17, 1922 — June 3, 2009
Ed was born in Yoakum, Texas on April 17, 1922, the son of Edward August Kutac and Albina Lanik Kutac. He served in the Navy, graduated from the Univ. of Texas in Austin, and then married Amy Smith.
A long-time resident of Austin, Ed was active in a wide array of civic, environmental and birding organizations. He was an Optimist and a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus while living there. An avid and active birder, Ed was president of both Travis Audubon Society and the Texas Ornithological Society, and served on the boards of both organizations for many years. Countless birders took his classes, participated in his bird trips, and learned the joys and delights of birding and the natural world from his endeavors. He authored two books on birding; Birder’s Guide to Texas and A Bird Finding and Naturalist’s Guide for the Austin, Texas Area with Chris Caran. He was instrumental in negotiating the acquisition of the Travis Audubon Preserve, and, as a member of the Nature Conservancy Board, helped shepherd the designation and acquisition of the Big Thicket Preserve, precursor to the Big Thicket National Park.
After moving to Amarillo 15 years ago, he joined the Panhandle Bird Club, which he enjoyed tremendously until he could no longer go birding. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He gave a wonderful example of giving of himself to his family, his church and his community. He will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Josephine Faubion.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Amy; his daughters Mary Irish and husband Gary of Scottsdale, AZ, Anne Jones and husband Darrell of Fredericksburg, Tx and Lucy Jalbert and husband Richard of Amarillo; grandsons, Travis Jones of Grand Prairie, Tx, Luke Jalbert and wife Christy and their sons Ryan and Steven of Amarillo; and Mark Jalbert of Austin; his sisters, Ethel Kutac and Evelyn Monnich, both of Austin, as well as eleven nephews and nieces and their children.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to BSA Hospice for their love and support, and to the staff of the Texas State Veteran’s Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Travis Audubon Society, 3710 Cedar Street, Box 5, Austin, Tx 78705, Panhandle Bird Club (www.wtamu.edu/~matlack/panhandlebirdclub/index.htm) or St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 1200 S. Washington, Amarillo, Tx 79102
A long-time resident of Austin, Ed was active in a wide array of civic, environmental and birding organizations. He was an Optimist and a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus while living there. An avid and active birder, Ed was president of both Travis Audubon Society and the Texas Ornithological Society, and served on the boards of both organizations for many years. Countless birders took his classes, participated in his bird trips, and learned the joys and delights of birding and the natural world from his endeavors. He authored two books on birding; Birder’s Guide to Texas and A Bird Finding and Naturalist’s Guide for the Austin, Texas Area with Chris Caran. He was instrumental in negotiating the acquisition of the Travis Audubon Preserve, and, as a member of the Nature Conservancy Board, helped shepherd the designation and acquisition of the Big Thicket Preserve, precursor to the Big Thicket National Park.
After moving to Amarillo 15 years ago, he joined the Panhandle Bird Club, which he enjoyed tremendously until he could no longer go birding. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He gave a wonderful example of giving of himself to his family, his church and his community. He will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Josephine Faubion.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Amy; his daughters Mary Irish and husband Gary of Scottsdale, AZ, Anne Jones and husband Darrell of Fredericksburg, Tx and Lucy Jalbert and husband Richard of Amarillo; grandsons, Travis Jones of Grand Prairie, Tx, Luke Jalbert and wife Christy and their sons Ryan and Steven of Amarillo; and Mark Jalbert of Austin; his sisters, Ethel Kutac and Evelyn Monnich, both of Austin, as well as eleven nephews and nieces and their children.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to BSA Hospice for their love and support, and to the staff of the Texas State Veteran’s Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Travis Audubon Society, 3710 Cedar Street, Box 5, Austin, Tx 78705, Panhandle Bird Club (www.wtamu.edu/~matlack/panhandlebirdclub/index.htm) or St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 1200 S. Washington, Amarillo, Tx 79102
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