John Henry Kubicek

John Henry Kubicek, age 84 of Valley View, passed away on March 28, 2026 at the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham.

Arrangements are pending and will be scheduled for a later date.

John was born on July 1, 1941 to John Edward and Anna Barbara Prihoda Kubicek in the family home northeast of Pilot Point. John was the third of seven children, and had six sisters. The family purchased a farm one mile east of Valley View and moved when John was six months old.

The family spoke their native Czech language at home, until John was in the first grade. John had to learn a new language, and when he got excited, the Czech language would pop out and the teachers thought little Johnny was cussing. The Valley View ISD Superintendent came to their home, explaining they lived in the United States, and the children needed to speak English at home. His parents realized the importance of this issue, and English was then spoken. John often talked of this, and felt that if you lived in the United States, English should be spoken by everyone.

John attended school in Valley View and was active in the sports of football, basketball, and track. In his senior year, he went to state and placed fourth in the mile. After graduation from high school, he attended Paris Junior College for one semester, and studied agriculture, and milked dairy cattle in the college program early in the morning and in the evening.

John enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 9, 1960, and was attached to the 320th Bombardment Wing, working as field maintenance of planes for inflight refueling. He was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. He transferred to Mather AFB in Sacramento, CA then to Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, AK where he flew many refueling missions over the dew line. He was honorably discharged at Mather AFB on March 13, 1964 with a rank of A1C E-4. He was released from reserve obligation on February 8, 1966. John earned certificates of: Small Arms Marksmanship, In-flight Refueling Specialist, and Boom Operator. One of his memorable experiences was when President John F. Kennedy was shot, John was in Fairbanks, and during a severe blizzard, way below zero degrees, he had to guard the runway with a rifle, in snow white-out conditions.

After four years of Air Force duty, John worked many years at Southland Paint Company in Gainesville, as a paint maker. For a short-time he was employed by National Supply in Gainesville, then employed by Glidden Paint Manufacturing, ICI in Carrollton as a paint maker. John was a paint maker for forty years, and made many friends throughout his years, and saw many changes of paint manufacturing procedures and equipment.

John loved to visit with people, talk about any subject, and make new friends. He loved being involved with his children and grandchildren, watching sports of any kind, playing dominoes, reading, cooking, baking, and traveling especially in Texas. He loved how politics worked, and was active in the Valley View City Council. He was Mayor of Valley View, served on the Lake Ray Roberts Zoning Board, and for many years was a Bolivar Water Supply Board member.

John married Norma Lutkenhaus on November 5, 1966 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster. Together they had three children: Dave, Steve, and Mary, making their home in the Valley View and Era area. John was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Valley View and then later St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gainesville. He enjoyed farming and ranching. He attended Cooke County College (NCTC) graduating with an associate’s degree in agriculture.

John is survived by his wife Norma; son and daughter-in-law Dave John and Monika Kubicek of Denison; son and daughter-in-law Steve Gregory and Karen Kubicek of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law Mary Diann and Daryl LeMarr of Valley View; grandchildren: Ashton, Amy and Alex Kubicek, Kyle and Rylee LeMarr, Michelle and husband Tony Gomez of Moreno Valley, CA,; great-grandchildren Madison and Taylor Gomez; sister Dorothy Mae Wright of Buena Vista, CO; sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Dan Beckett of Pottsboro; sister-in-law Kathleen Lutkenhaus of Lindsay; sister-in-law Doris Muller of Muenster; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dennis and Carolyn Lutkenhaus of Lindsay; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Leo and Peggy Lutkenhaus of Muenster; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Charles and Christine Lutkenhaus of Mesa AZ; plus many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; sister Bertha Ann Crawford; sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Wilfred Luttmer, Sr.; sister Rosie Mae Brown; sister and brother-in-law Georgie Jeanne and Douglas Haun; brothers-in-law W. C. (Chris) Muller, Walter Lutkenhaus, Tom Wright and James Jones.

The family would like to express gratitude towards friends of Bill and Bob for your support and friendship throughout the years and a very special thank you to the many people at Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham for the care and kindness that John needed.

Memorial contributions may be made to Valley View and Era Volunteer Fire Departments.