Michael Gandy Svoboda

Michael Gandy Svoboda, Sr. Michael Gandy Svoboda, Sr., 62, of Angleton gained his Heavenly Wings on Friday, September 30, 2016. Mike was born on March 6, 1954 to Maxine and Elroy Svoboda. He devoted his entire life to his family as a son, brother, husband and the Best Pawpaw ever. Visitation will be Thursday, October 6, 2016 - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Palms Funeral Home. The funeral will be Friday, October 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Angleton and burial at Angleton Cemetery. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, Miro and Mille Svoboda, Annie Mae Gandy and John Collins, Aunt Illene Svoboda, Uncle Maxie "Bubba" Gandy. He is survived by his children, Suzanne "Suzy" Svoboda-Ford and husband David, Michael "Mikey" Gandy Svoboda, Jr. and wife Nicole, Jillian "Jill" Svoboda-Raley and husband Greg, his high school sweetheart, Mary Morrow Svoboda, his most precious gifts, his grandchildren, Blayne Svoboda, Gregory Raley, Gage Raley, Koi Ford, Gracie Raley, Korbyn Ford, Gannon Raley, Miles Svoboda, and Benjamin Svoboda, sisters, Debbie Sims and husband David, Kim Ridling and husband Sonny, nieces and nephew, Allison Dasher, Amy Sims, Justin Voss and Courtney Voss, Aunt Cherry Martin, cousins, Chad Gandy and Tammie Gandy-Watts and dear friend Patti Wade. As a child, Mike enjoyed playing sports and being outdoors. He graduated from Angleton High School where he was known by all as "Stick." He played varsity football, basketball and baseball. Here he met and eventually married his high school sweetheart Mary Morrow Svoboda. He worked as a Pipefitter at Dow Chemical for 25 years. Through his younger years, he spent his free time playing slow pitch softball where he made many lifelong friendships. He was an active member on the Angleton ISD School Board. During this time, he was in charge of the planning and construction of the Angleton High School softball field. After retiring from Dow Chemical, he went on to teach and coach at Angleton Middle School and Angleton High School. Everyone remembers him the most for his involvement as a coach and mentor in Angleton Little League and Angleton Girls Softball League. After his retirement from teaching, he spent the last 3 years at Harris Reservoir as the Caretaker, where he loved to take his grandchildren fishing as much as possible. Pallbearers will be Dennis George, Dude Payne, Biff Peterson, Wick McDonald, Billy Lantrip, John Morgan, Odie Caskey, and Dennis Chaloupka. Honorary Pallbearers are Gordon Smith, Bobby Simpson and Jim Crainer. Mike asked that in lieu of flowers to please make a donation to St. Jude's Children's Hospital: https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671&sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Michael Gandy Svoboda, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Visitation Thursday, October 6th, 2016 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Palms Funeral Home 2300 E. Mulberry Angleton, TX 77515 Service Information Friday, October 7th, 2016 11:00am, Angleton First United Methodist Church 219 North Arcola St Angleton, TX 77515