Max Angus Pachar, Sr. 90, of Orange died Sunday, March 3, 2013. Visitation services will be held at Claybar Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 6th from 5pm – 7pm. Funeral services will be held at Claybar Funeral Home Thursday, March 7th at 2pm. Burial will follow after the service at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange, Texas.
Max Pachar was born on February 3, 1923, the oldest child of Mary Frances Roberts Pachar and Angus Thomas Pachar in Call, Texas. He grew up in Orange, Texas on a family owned dairy farm that surely spawned his love of animals, medicine and a strong desire to become a veterinarian. His veterinary practice is 69 years old and still carries his name in Pinehurst, Texas. His longtime personal practice spanned more than 50 years before retiring in 1999. Dr. Pachar's service in the Army Air Corp in World War II preceded his enrolling in Texas A&M in January 1946 under the G.I. Bill. As a bombardier and part of the crew on a B24 Bomber in Southern Italy his crew was part of the 15th Air Force with his service from 1943-1945. Many bombing runs were made during his service but the final run of "Bombers in Trail" the day after the war ended was his crew leading a squadron over the Alps as American soldiers witnessed Austrians in the countryside celebrating by waving national flags at the end of WWII.
He was a 1939 graduate of Lutcher Stark High School and obtained a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M in 1949 as the Valedictorian in his graduating class earning The Borden Award for his excellence in veterinary studies. Honorary plaques are housed today at the School of Veterinary Medicine on the Texas A&M Campus in College Station, Texas. His longtime fervent love of his alma mater was known far and wide and continued throughout his life as a member of the Beaumont A&M Club, Texas A&M Century Club Member, 12th Man Foundation and having been awarded a Golden Aggie Award in 1999 at Kyle Field on the Texas A&M campus and the Diamond Aggie Award by the Beaumont A&M Club in 2010. As a 70 year member of First Christian Church, Dr. Pachar served many times on the Board of Trustees of First Christian Church.
As a member of many civic organizations he truly enjoyed Rotary Club membership for more than 50 years having been awarded a Paul Harris Fellow award through Rotary International. During the 1960's he was appointed by Governor Price Daniel to the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and capably served in that capacity for 6 years. He served as President of the West Orange Cove CISD School Board for six years during the late 60's and early 70's. His membership in organizations includes the American Veterinary Medical Association, Southeast Texas Veterinary Medical Association and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. The Texas Veterinary Medical Association honored Pachar Veterinary Hospital with an award of Texas Veterinary Heritage Practice Award one day before his death in College Station Texas. That award was received by Dr. Kathleen Kennedy in honor of Pachar Veterinary Hospital for recognition of the more than 60 year old practice.
Family was first with Max Pachar and he leaves a family who will love and cherish his memory forever. Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Justine Boswell Pachar. Sisters and brother include Nancy and Arthur Gayle Pachar, Marilou Pachar Gunn, Carol Sue Pachar Granger and one sister who is deceased Ruth Mae Pachar Peveto. Preceding him in death was three brother in laws J. B. Peveto, Donald A. Gunn and Wendell Granger.
Surviving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Max A. Pachar, Jr and wife Grace, Randall L. Pachar and wife, Connie Alleman Pachar, Brinson E. Pachar and wife Laura Morgan Pachar, daughter Jane Pachar Stephenson and Mary Frances Pachar Gonzalez and husband Charles Gonzalez. Grandchildren are Max Angus Pachar III, Jason Earl Pachar, Robyn Kathleen Rice, William Clinton Pachar, Daniel Wade Pachar, Brinson Craig Pachar, Rachel Pachar Gillespie and John Michael Gonzalez. Great grandchildren are Greek L. Rice III, Maggie Lea Prouse, Jackson Wade Pachar, Max Daniel Pachar, Caroline Blythe Pachar and one month old Logan Kate Pachar.
Pallbearers include his nephews: Tommy Gunn, Billy Peveto, A. B. Yank Peveto, Al Granger, Dean Granger and Kelly Pachar.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Kathleen Kennedy, D.V.M., Harold Ray, D.V.M., Don Covington, Jack Burney, Dana Cruse, John Premeaux, Johnny Hart, Oliver Seastrunk, Cecil Byers, Greek Rice, Sr. and Bobby Chambliss.
Dr. Pachar had a strong love of education, literacy and a keen belief of service above self and giving back to the community of Orange and surrounding areas. The family would like to honor him by requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations and memorials be given to any of the following longtime loves of Dr. Pachar:
First Christian Church of Orange, Southeast Texas Food Bank, Southeast Texas Hospice, Friends Helping Friends, Orange Christian Services, Orange County Community Partners Rainbow Room, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Salvation Army of Orange.
The family would like to thank Dr. Calvin Parker, nurses and office staff for their care, love and support shown to their dad during his illness. Dr. Parker's talents are truly a God given gift and for that the family is grateful. After a thirty year relationship with Southeast Texas Hospice from its founding and having served in a capacity of support for hospice care, Dr. Pachar was lovingly cared for by the staff, nurses and aides from Southeast Texas Hospice. The family also thanks the personal caregivers who loved and cared for him during his illness.