Joe Bernard Hablinski

February 2, 1947 - July 4, 2017

After a lengthy and courageous battle with leukemia, Joe Bernard Hablinski passed away July 4, 2017, at the age of 70. Joe was born February 19, 1947 to Martha and Joseph E. Hablinski. Joe was raised in Marlin, Texas where he attended grade school through high school prior to departing for Austin, Texas to attend The University of Texas. Joe graduated from UT Austin in 1970 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. While in Austin, Joe met and married fellow Longhorn, Nancy Stargel, on August 30, 1969. Shortly after graduation, Joe and Nancy relocated to Houston, Texas where they would live for the next 47 years and raise their two sons, Reed and Ross. Throughout his career, Joe was an entrepreneur, owning several businesses including a Sanyo electronics distributorship, various car lots, and most recently a real estate brokerage firm. In November, 1993, Joe began a 24 year career with the Harris County Appraisal District where he held many titles and made many lasting, cherished friendships. Outside of his work, Joe was a diehard Longhorn fan. He was an avid sportsman who hunted and fished throughout Texas and beyond. He could often be heard telling stories about his beloved fishing trips to Venezuela with one of his best friends, Richard Buddeke. Joe was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo serving numerous roles on various committees, Corral Club always holding a special place in his heart. In 1992, Joe was honored to be elected to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Board of Directors, and became a Lifetime Director in 2003. Joe is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons Reed and Ross, and their wives Lauren and Allison Hablinski. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Catherine Stargel of Amarillo, Texas; brother and sister-in-law Dr. Michael and Lynda Stargel of Alpharetta, Georgia; nephew Jared Stargel, wife Jami, and their children, Kariss, Sophia and Harper; niece Megan Hall, husband Gregg, and their children Zeke, Adalynn, and Lily Faith. “Big Joe” was recently blessed with two grandsons, Colton Reid, born to Lauren and Reed, May 26, 2017, and Roy Joseph, born to Allison and Ross, June 23, 2017. Joe was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, and friend. He loved life and was well known for his generosity, his strong loyalty to family and friends (too numerous to mention), and unwavering love for his country. Joe was one of a kind and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. A Funeral Mass celebrating Joe’s life will be held July 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX 77379 with recitation of the rosary and eulogies at 10:15 a.m. All are invited to attend a reception following the service. Joe’s ashes will be interred at a later date in Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Roland Altinger, Ed Chance, Fred Hilscher, Carl Johnson, Ben Cervenka, James Mushinski. John Slogar, Robby Thigpen, and Jerry Zoller. The family would especially like to thank Susan Buddeke and Paige Dominey for their love and generosity, Pat Adcock and Gina Martin for their unending support, the staff of Houston Hospice for their most compassionate care, and the Hardin Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please send donations in memory of Joe Hablinski to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Education Fund, attn. Jamie Voskamp (P.O. Box 20070, Houston, TX 77225), Houston Hospice (1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030), or a charity of your choice.