Robert “Bob” Daniel Karkoska was born into this world on April 22, 1938, in Jarrell, Texas, to Louis and Elizabeth Karkoska. He grew up on a farm with his older brother Tom and learned a lifelong appreciation for the earth and what it could provide. Anywhere he lived afterward, there would always be a garden of some sort in his backyard.
He was the first person in his family to get a college degree. He attended Texas A&I University where he met his future wife Kay Ashworth. After a brief stint in the Army, he settled down with his new wife to work as a chemical engineer in Corpus Christi. There they had two children Robert Daniel, Jr. and Rebecca.
Seeking new career opportunities, Robert moved his family to Mt Pleasant, Texas, in 1972, where he worked at the refinery for many years as chief engineer. Bob and his family put down roots in Mt. Pleasant, the place he would live the rest of his life. He was supportive and active in his kids’ lives, creating many happy memories. He was a great provider, father, and husband.
In the late 1980s, the refinery closed and Bob eventually found himself traveling around the world to work in the oil fields of Yemen. He had many layovers all over Europe and got a chance to experience the world.
His wife Kay passed away in the early 1990s, and he married his second wife, Mary Gail Rogers Luck. Shortly after, the refinery was bombed during the Yemen civil war, and Bob decided to retire to a peaceful life with his new wife and their cats and dogs.
Bob spent his time cooking, gardening, reading, watching sports on TV, playing video games, fish ing, and enjoying his life with his family, and friends and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he would bake homemade bread for communion, served as an Elder, and was a faithful member of the Mixed-Up Adults Sunday School Class.
Bob was known for his amazing food and prolific gardens. Many children were sent home with a bag of vegetables after spending time at the Karkoska household. One kid was even known to have said, “Mr. Karkoska made me eat green trees (aka broccoli)” upon being picked up after a playdate. He also loved to grill…anything and a lot of it. One could always tell when he was excited about something by how much meat he grilled for the occasion.
Bob leaves behind his wife Mary Gail Karkoska of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, son Dan Karkoska of San Francisco, California, daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and Jim Parsons of Tacoma, Washington, stepdaughter Dinah Luck of New York, New York, stepson and stepdaughter-in-law Patrick and Laura Luck of Orlando, Florida, and granddaughters Elizabeth and Rachel Luck.
He was a great man who will be missed by his family and all those who knew him.
Rest in peace.
Services will be held on Tuesday, December 28 at 11am at First Presbyterian Church, 401 N. Madison, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455.
The family requests all attendants wear a protective mask.
An online registry is now available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com