Harold J. "Harry" Yaklin

Our amazing Harold (Harry) John Yaklin was called to be with his Lord on Wednesday October 9, 2024. Born on July 6, 1929, to Fred John and Alice Forstoff Yaklin. Harry grew up in Riviera, Texas and graduated from Riviera High School in 1946. He then joined the U.S. Airforce and left as Staff Sgt. In 1948. Attended Texas A&I University before he went to work for Celanese Corp. of the U.S. in 1949 until his retirement in 1987.

Harry was most definitely one of a kind. He could do anything, build anything, fix and repair everything. One of his passions was fishing and running his boat the MEME. Harry loved spending time at “the cabin” he and his Celanese buddies built on a spoil bank off the intercoastal canal. He also loved dove hunting, deer hunting, and most especially family sausage making weekend. He loved cooking, grilling, fish and shrimp frying, Barbequing. Much to his family and friends’ delight, he even perfected wine making. Always happy to share a glass or a bottle of his wine with everyone. In his later years he took up golf and enjoyed playing as they traveled the USA in their RV. Yes, Harry was blessed with 95 years of living and loving life and his Lord, family, and friends.

Harry is preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years Joyce, his oldest son Harold (Hal) J. Yaklin, Jr.; his parents Fred and Alice Yaklin, four sisters, Leona Brown, Lucille Crocker, Rosemary Glenn, and Helen Dotson, and five of his brothers, Sylvester, Jimmy, Patrick, Robert, and Stanley Yaklin.

Among those left to cherish his memory are four sons and two daughters, George and Renae Yaklin of Orange Grove, Susan and Clifton Dotson of Sandia, Terry Yaklin of Calallen, Bryan Yaklin of San Marcos, Greg and Teri Yaklin of Seguin, Nancy and Harold McCollough of Three Rivers and Hal’s wife Lynette Yaklin of Kingsville. Harry was also blessed with 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. One brother, Fred Yaklin and wife Liz, of Loyola Beach. Two more sisters-in-law Jan and Sue Yaklin.

A visitation to celebrate the life of Harold Yaklin will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a holy rosary to be recited at 5:30 PM.  A funeral Mass in Harold's honor will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. Gertrude Catholic Church.   A rite of committal and interment will follow at Vattman Cemetery in Vattman, Texas.

Honoring Harold Yaklin are Pall Bearers David Rosse, Donny Skrobarczyk, Scott McGuire, Joseph Conner, Alar Trochta, Jay Schonefeld, Beto Gonzalez, Jo David Alaniz, with Honorary Pall Bearers Lee Durbin, Alan Cumberland, Joe Garcia, Al Patarik, Fred Yaklin, Phil Yaklin, Gordan Sims, Danny Martinez, and Tim Robertson.