Jude Golla

Jude T. Golla, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away peacefully at his home outside of Kingsville on Dec 10.  Jude was born February 15, 1938 in Corpus Christi to John T. Golla and Mary Margaret Whelan Golla.  He grew up in Corpus Christi attended Corpus Christi Academy, Del Mar College, and then Texas A&M University, completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He spent his career working for Celanese, a job which led him to travel worldwide and across the US and where he developed a specialization in pressure safety valves.  Upon retirement, he began teaching classes for engineers for the Instrument Society of America, traveling all over the US and to Canada until a few years ago.

Jude was married to Gail Schoenfeld of Corpus Christi for 58 years.  Together they had three children, Robert, Chris, and Anne.  The family moved to Kingsville in 1976.  He enjoyed in early years taking the family on hunting and fishing trips and long road trips, staying at camp sites and visiting family.  In later years he enjoyed traveling with Gail to see grizzly bears in Alaska, tropical wildlife in Costa Rica, holy sites in Israel and visit Anne in Russia.  He applied an engineer’s precision to cooking barbeque, and took part for many years in the annual King Ranch Breakfast.  He loved telling stories, which often centered on growing up in Corpus among a large extended family.  Jude loved his family, especially his wife, children and grandchildren and took delight in talking about their accomplishments.

The Catholic Church was important to Jude throughout his life.  He was a member of St. Gertrude’s parish and of the Knights of Columbus.  In later years he volunteered at the Catholic Student Center at Texas A&M Kingsville serving meals to students.

Jude is survived by his wife Gail, his son Robert and daughter Anne, his daughters-in-law Jill Tos Golla and Janet Kopp Golla, grandchildren Matthew, Ethan, Brooke, Chris, Emily, Allison, Katherine, and Michael; brother Damian, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.  He is preceded in death by his son Chris and siblings John, Peter, and Marie.

To keep family and friends safe, the immediate family will be having private services.  A virtual rosary will be held Wednesday and the Funeral Mass livestreamed Thursday.  Links will be provided on the website for Turcotte-Piper funeral home.

Zoom Meeting ID: 874 3701 6954       Passcode: 197934

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd. Kingsville, Texas 78363.