Eddie Leon Skrobarcek

Eddie Leon Skrobarcek was born May 28, 1947, in Kingsville, Texas, to Edna Ann (Heese) Skrobarcek (Westphalia, TX) and Leon A. Skrobarcek (Stockdale, TX) of Kingsville. He was a loving husband, Dad, PeePaw, cousin, friend, and so much more to all who knew him.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Edna and Leon Skrobarcek and brother, Dennis Skrobarcek. He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Deborah Ann (Baldeschwiler) Skrobarcek from Mathis, Tx, and their children: Susan (Ray) Schaalman of Corpus Christi, Laura (Jerame) Yaklin of Orange Grove, Lisa Williams of Orange Grove, and Matthew (Brittany) Skrobarcek of Orange Grove. He was a proud PeePaw to 9 grandchildren: Emily (Travis) Reynolds, Kayleigh Moses, Asa & Levi Yaklin; Ali, Tristan & Braelyn Williams; Cooper & Hayes Skrobarcek, and a great-grandfather to Jaxson Reynolds. Eddie is also survived by two sisters: Joyce (Dale) Giebink of Colorado and Diane Chambers of Houston, TX.

Eddie attended St. Gertrudes Catholic School until the 8th grade and graduated high school in Kingsville, Texas in 1966. From there he went to Texas A&I University in Kingsville where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering in December 1972. He said it took him two extra years because he volunteered a few extra hours in the game room earning an “A” but an “F” in the classroom.

While pursuing his degree in engineering, he met the love of his life, Debbie, at an Al Dean dance at Moravian Hall in Corpus Christi in 1972. He knew the moment he met her she was the one. They later married on July 21,1973 at St. Gertrudes Catholic Church in Kingsville.

Eddie worked in the petroleum and natural gas industry for 42 years. He retired from LyondellBasell in 2015 after years of "maybe next year" promises. He was your typical Engineer who never left home without his essentials: ten mechanical pencils, a calculator, and a retractable eraser, all tucked neatly into the pocket of his shirt. It didn’t matter where he was going, he was always prepared just in case there was a math emergency. As an Engineer, he could solve complex problems, but as a dad and Peepaw, his advice was simple: “Work hard, tell the truth, save, and go to church.” He was always there to offer guidance, and sometimes, just when you needed a little chuckle, he’d give his advice with that trademark shrug and a giggle, ending with “Maybe,” leaving us unsure whether he was serious, but always feeling a little lighter.

He was a man who loved his work, but even more, he was a man of honor, integrity and deep love for his family. He didn’t just tell us to love each other, he made his children promise to always stay close as siblings and if one of them ever wandered too far off, he made it clear it was their job to pull them back in. That was the kind of man he was—always looking out for the people he loved, making sure we never lost sight of what truly mattered.

His favorite holidays were Christmas and Easter, a time to gather with loved ones—and, of course, to enjoy a good slice of pecan pie or a chocolate chip cookie, despite the doctor’s recommendations. When we would worry, he would calmly whisper “Don’t worry. Everything will be okay” and even if things weren’t always perfect, we knew it was his way of helping us carry on. He was a man who appreciated the simple things in life: good food (especially beef enchiladas with extra onions), great movies like Goonies and Home Alone, maybe “a little” FOX News and time spent with family. His sense of humor, though often a little corny, was something we will miss dearly.

Some of dad’s favorite things to do was work on family genealogy tracing his family roots back to Panna Maria. He also enjoyed gardening although Mother Nature didn’t always provide the rain needed to sustain it, he still enjoyed it. After retirement, dad took up raising chickens and absolutely loved it! He decided his life really needed a yard full of feathery, clucking chaos and if you ever made the mistake of asking about his chickens, well, buckle up-you were in for a 30-minute conversation about egg production, pecking orders, and why one particular hen had an “attitude problem”. Despite his attachment to each of them, he had a come-to-Jesus with those who slacked, reminding them daily they had one job – LAY EGGS or end up in a pot of chicken and dumplings. We all knew he was too soft-hearted to follow through with that threat. Now when it came to the unwanted visitors who threatened his chickens, dad was swift to pull out his judge revolver. He earned a few bragging rights and proudly wore his “Pistol Packing Peepaw” rattlesnake-hunting shirt like a badge of honor-because in his mind, protecting home and family was important to him.

For those who knew him most, he was a true Patriot. Not just in words, but in the way he lived with courage, integrity and a deep love for his country and his family. His love for his country ran deep, and he never missed an opportunity to remind us of how lucky we were to live in the land of the free because freedom did not come cheap!

Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy of strength, wisdom, love, and courage will live on in the lessons he taught us and the memories we shared. We will miss his advice, his jokes, and his presence. Peepaw had one ultimate goal: to make sure we all GO TO CHURCH, pray, live right, and get to heaven so we can all meet up again one day. Until then, “see you later alligator” but in the meantime, we will all take it “One day at a time.”

Services will be held at Winsteads’ Funeral Home (formerly known as Dobie Funeral Home) in Mathis, Friday, March 28, 2025, 6:00pm visitation and the Rosary at 7:00pm. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Orange Grove at 11:00am. Following the funeral service, a burial will be held at Sons of Hermann Cemetery in Orange Grove.

For those who wish to express their condolences, you are welcome to send flowers or sympathy gifts directly to the family using the button provided below. Additionally, you may share your heartfelt condolences with the family below by adding an entry on the online guest book below.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. 361-547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com