L. J. Lacina

Louis John (L. J.) Lacina, 96, died Wednesday, March 15, 2012, in Bryan, Texas. L. J. was born in the Birch Community in Burleson County, Texas, to Vincent E. and Mary Wiebusch Lacina on December 27, 1915.

L. J. graduated from Brenham High School and attended business college in Houston.

He was in the automobile and grocery business in Brenham with his brothers. He served in the U. S. Armed Services from March 11, 1941 through the duration of World War II, received his Gunners Wings and instructed student gunners in operation of Sperry turrets and firing of 50 cal. machine guns, and remote control turret gunnery in B-29s.

He married Norma Louise Hodde on June 29, 1947 in Brenham, Texas.
He retired from the automobile business in 1986.

He was baptized into the Catholic Church at Holy Rosary Parish at Frenstadt in Burleson County and after moving to Brenham became a member of St. Mary’s Parish. He was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member, and a charter member of St. Joseph’s Council of the K of C in Brenham. He was also a member of the American Legion Buddy Wright Post #48.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, on December 31, 2000, his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, A. W. and Norma Hodde, brother Herbert Lacina, sisters Helen McGarraugh and Irma O’Shea, sister-in- law, Alma Eve Hodde. He provided excellent and loving care to his wife in her last years, and to his sister-in-law, Alma Eve Hodde.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, L. J. Lacina, Jr. and Carey Lacina, daughter Lorna Jane Lacina, son and daughter-in-law, Timothy Mark and Michele Lacina, grandchildren, Anna Rachael Lacina and her fiancé Austin Taylor, Jonas Michael Lacina, James Gifford, Lauren Gifford and Mark Ellis, brother and sister-in-law, Eddie and Louise Lacina, sister Mildred Mahlmann, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, A. W. Jr. and Virginia Hodde.

Visitation was held Thursday, March 15, 2012 from 5-7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 16, 2012 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Monsignor Benedict Zientek as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Members of St. Joseph’s Council, Knights of Columbus, will serve as pallbearers.

Donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 701 Church St., Brenham, TX 77833, Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 East Blue Bell Road, Brenham, TX 77833 or the Blinn College Foundation, 902 College Avenue, Brenham, TX 77833 for the L.J. and Norma Lacina Endowed Scholarship.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 or leave condolences at www.brenhammemorialchapelcom