Roll Call Tribute

Lawrence Joseph "Larry" Zatopek 

January 21, 1946 - June 22, 2024 

Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Zatopek, 78, was born in San Antonio, Texas, and died suddenly on June 22, 2024 after a brief illness.

His family moved to Bryan where he started school, ushered at Aggie football games as a Boy Scout, and played Little League baseball, achieving a trip to the state championship as a left-handed pitcher. At 12 years old his family moved to San Antonio, where he continued playing baseball, was an honor student, served on the student council, and graduated from Central Catholic High School. He believed in working hard and mowed lawns starting at age 10 and worked at a grocery store from age 14 through college. While attending Texas A&M University, he worked summers at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and continued his job at the grocery store on evenings and weekends, enabling him to cover all his college expenses. He was in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Squadron 5, and served as first sergeant his junior year and executive officer his senior year. He met Susan, a nursing student, on a blind date, and it was love at first sight. Susan said he was the cutest Aggie she had ever met. He was class of ’68 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Construction.

In 1969 he was hired by the Houston office of TxDOT, which would become his lifelong employer, and enjoyed playing on a softball team with work colleagues. He and Susan married in 1970 and would have celebrated 54 years of marriage on June 27, 2024. Throughout their marriage, Larry supported Susan’s nursing career and pursuit of higher education by taking the lead on many household responsibilities. They had two children, Christie and Todd, before moving to Austin after Larry was recruited for their TxDOT Automation Division. A third child, Nathan, was born in Austin. Larry was transferred to the Finance Division where he collaborated with consultants on the new automated financial system. He was then placed in charge of implementing the management information system and oversaw the contract section of the Finance Division. He later moved to the Construction Division and in 1993 was selected as Director of the General Services Division where he remained until he retired in 2003. In an entrepreneurial spirit, he continued earning money by paying himself for housekeeping while Susan worked an additional 13 years.

Not one to sit on his laurels after retirement, Larry began attending the Men in the Word bible study at Covenant Presbyterian Church which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was soon recruited as a volunteer in numerous roles including four terms as deacon where he served as recording secretary, vice moderator, and moderator. He also chaired the Covenant care committee and kept busy with Susan’s honey do list. Larry was diagnosed with idiopathic (unknown cause) pulmonary fibrosis in 2016 and was stable on medication until he experienced a downward spiral in his health in 2021. He was approved for a lung transplant and had surgery in Houston to receive the gift of life on October 29, 2021, a date which he celebrated as his second birthday. His Covenant congregation, friends, and family supported him throughout his entire transplant journey, and he always told people that he sensed their thoughts and prayers and felt uplifted by them. Because of organ donation, Larry was able to enjoy numerous events and trips he otherwise would have missed.

Larry loved life and lived it to the fullest, and his love for family and friends was unconditional. His family grew as he became Papa/Grandpa to eight grandchildren. He rarely missed events for his children or grandchildren as they were growing up. Words used to describe him include loving, supportive, jokester, quick-witted, faithful, honest, organized, kind, and caring. His deep blue eyes and broad smile brightened every room he entered. He enjoyed cooking and barbequing and looked forward to Zatopek gatherings, upholding the Czech tradition of drinking a cold beer. He liked building things when his children were young including several toy boxes, a dollhouse, a bunk bed, an entertainment center, and a stereo. He was a golfer but said that socializing with the other players was the best part of the game. He was a great fan of A&M sports and a longtime football season ticket holder. He was so proud to march with his corps outfit annually at the Rally to the Guidons, culminating in the 2023 final march into Kyle Field with Todd and Nathan, also former Corps of Cadets members, while family and friends cheered him on.

Larry and Susan enjoyed being patrons of Broadway in Austin for many years. After all their children graduated from college, they took off to see the world on Traveling Aggie trips where they made many new friends across multiple countries. Prior to his transplant surgery, Larry said that if he didn’t qualify for a transplant, he was at peace, had lived a great life, and did not fear death. We will miss him dearly but will strive to carry on the verse from John 15:9, “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” Thanks to God for the joy and blessing Larry has been to all of our lives.

Larry is survived by his wife, Susan Zatopek; daughter Christie Youngs and husband Billy; son Todd Zatopek and wife Jennifer; son Nathan Zatopek and wife Mary; grandchildren Aliyah and Kaden Harmon, Jacob, Lucas, Sam, Kate, Bradley, and Hannah Zatopek; bonus grandchildren Bailey and Ashley Kinard-Youngs and Landon Youngs; brother Ed Zatopek and wife Lane; brother Dan Zatopek and wife Lornnette; and sister Joan Zatopek and husband Ross. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Evelyn Zatopek; father and mother-in-law Kenny and Evelyn Crawford; and sister Mary Louise Dugosh and husband Ignatius.

We would like to thank the team at the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center transplant services for their loving care and Nora’s Home in Houston for lodging and support for transplant patients and their families during our stays in Houston.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Nora’s Home at 8300 El Rio Street, Houston, TX 77054 or Give - Nora's Home : Nora's Home (norashome.org); Texas A&M Foundation in memory of Larry Zatopek at Honorary & Memorial Gifts | Texas A&M Foundation: 401 George Bush Dr., College Station, Texas 77840 (txamfoundation.com); Covenant Presbyterian Church at 3003 Northland Dr, Austin, TX 78757 or a charity of your choosing.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held on Saturday, July 13th at 11:00 AM at Covenant Presbyterian Church followed by a reception in the Fellowship and Education building. If you own anything maroon, please wear it in honor of Larry and his love for Texas A&M.

IN THE CARE OF
Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home