Charlie J. Tomek

We pay tribute to the passing of yet another of the “Greatest Generation.”

On Thursday, Dec. 17, Charlie J. Tomek of Cameron passed from this world to the next.
“Charlie”, as he was known to all, was born Oct. 14, 1920, in the community of Elm Ridge, to parents Frank Tomek and Annie Chernosky.
He spent six years in the Army where he saw combat throughout France (D-day +1), Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Except for his time in the Army and 25 years in Killeen, a part of his 37 years in civil service at Ft. Hood, Charlie lived in Cameron with his wife, Cornelia, of 55 years (d. 2002).
Because he spoke fluent Czech, at the conclusion of World War II, Charlie stayed behind in Pilsen Czechoslovakia to run the brewery and restart the local economy. Charlie told the story that the Pilsen townspeople had hidden the best beer from the Germans, but brought it out for the Americans. Pilsen was the only town in Czechoslovakia liberated by the Americans and, to this day, the Americans are beloved by the people of the area because of GIs like Charlie. In 2011, Charlie was one of six U.S. WW II veterans awarded the Czech Republic’s Minister of Defense’s highest decoration, the Cross of Merit, first class.
Charlie also retired from Circle-K where he was the longest tenured part-time employee in the company’s history. Charlie was a member of the VFW and was the last surviving WW II veteran of Post 2010 in Cameron, where he volunteered at bingo until age 93. He was also a member of KJT, RVOS, and St. Monica’s Catholic Church since moving to Cameron in 1972.
Charlie is survived by his two daughters, Colleen Provasek and husband Ernie of Livingston and Judy Pilotte and husband David of Plano. Grandchildren include Susan Lewis and great-grandson Brandon of Splendora and Jared Provasek and wife Kayla stationed with the U.S. Navy at Bangor Naval Base in Bremerton, Wash. Additional family members include brother Clem Tomek of Elm Ridge, sister Rosa Leonard of Texas City and many nieces and nephews.
Charlie never had a cross word for anyone, and was loved by all who knew him.
Memorials can be made to St. Monica’s Cemetery Association, 306 South Nolan Cameron, TX 76520.