Rudy Mikulec
A life is a journey of faith, love and compassion and Rudy Mikulec encompassed all of those qualities.
On Jan. 12, 2022, Rudolph “Rudy” Lawrence Mikulec left this earthly life and was greeted at heaven’s gates as he took his last breath at his ranch in Cat Springs at the age of 75.
Rudy, or RL, as he was known in his hometown of Cameron, grew up in the Marek community. He was born on Oct. 7, 1946, and was the son of the late Theodore and Rita Mikulec of Marek. Rudy grew up with his older brother, T.J. Mikulec of Marek, and his sister, Diana Robinson of Frisco. As a young man, he couldn’t get enough of the outdoors and spent his days riding bikes, fishing, hunting, football, and was a star softball player, a sport he enjoyed and played as an adult.
Rudy graduated from C.H. Yoe High School in 1964 and went on to attend Sam Houston State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He moved to Houston where he began his career as an Accountant at Superior Oil Company and ended his career at EOG Resources in 2016 as the Director of Division Support. He married Carolyn Irvin Crawford on May 25, 1984, and the two made a life together on their ranch in Cat Springs, Texas. He was known for his gregarious, fun and loving personality and being the type of man who would give you a cold beer or the shirt off his back.
Rudy loved life and adventure. Rather he was jumping out of a plane, flipping a three wheeler on a beach in South Padre Island, skiing behind a boat on Lake Somerville, or finding the tallest and fastest roller coaster to ride at Astroworld, there was no adventure too big or too small that he wouldn’t conquer. He also had a special knack for making things grow. From vegetables, fruits or flowers, his green thumb would work magic. And last but not least, he loved a good Polka Band. Cara and Rudy would travel Texas to hear and dance to their favorite bands. They were members of a dance club, and Rudy was known for dancing and twirling around a dance floor like no other, a hobby he enjoyed up until he took his final dance in 2022.
Rudy is survived by his wife Carolyn Crawford Mikulec; his daughter, Angele Renee Powers and William Luke Powers of Beaumont; his step-children, Robert E. Coons and Shirley Coons of Gilmer, Lynn Coons Rizzo and David Rizzo of Houston, and Kimberly Dawn Coons of Cat Springs; his grandchildren, Dylan Louis Kostroun of Houston, and Joshua Luke Kostroun of College Station; along with Olivia Rizzo Baradhi and Shakeib Baradhi of Lake Jackson; Madalyn Sophia Rizzo of New York City, N.Y.; David Samuel Rizzo of Houston; Nolan William Rizzo of Houston; Clayton R. Coons of McKinney; Catie Coons Smith and Nathan Smith of Plano; Robert E Coons III of Gilmer; great-grandchildren, Mia and Nabeel Baradhi; his brother, T.J. Mikulec and Sharon Mikulec of Cameron; and sister, Diana Robinson and Steve Robinson of Frisco; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Rudy is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore E. Mikulec and Rita J. Mikulec of Marak; and stepson, Clifford Neal Coons.
Graveside service and interment will be Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.