On November 2, 2013, Joe Louis Svoboda passed away while helping the love of his life to safety. Joe was born November 10, 1934 to Louis Joseph Svoboda and Bozena (Swatek) Svoboda in shiner, Texas. He grew up and attended school in rural Lavaca County. He met his future bride at a dance at Boedeker s Place in Shiner. On October 5, 1955 they were married at St. James Catholic Church in Gonzales, Texas. In 1957, Joe was drafted into the US Army where he served 2 years active duty and was stationed in Fort Carlson, Colorado, and then served 4 years in the Army Reserves. Joe started playing drums in multiple bands around the age of 17. He played with bands such as Prince and the Lone Star Ramblers, The Texas Hired Hands, Homer and Gene and the Westener s. He enjoyed many nights in Texas dance halls. He started his career as a plumber for Pete Ince, and obtained his Master Plumber s License in 1971 when he opened his own business, Joe s Plumbing. He maintained his Master Plumber s license for over 40 years. Joe spent many weekends and summers at the lake fishing, boating and skiing with his family and friends. In the early 1970 s Joe and Dorothy found their love for trail riding. They began riding horseback in the Chisholm Trail Ride and they started on the Texas Trail ride in the late 1970 s. Around 1985 Joe got his first wagon and his passion for mule skinning as a Wagon Boss. There wasn t a time when he wasn t ready to load the mules, hook the wagon to the trailer and go for a weekend on or week of trail riding. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Dorothy Mae (Avant) Svoboda, children; Michael Gene Svoboda and wife Melanie of Gonzales, Sherrie Jo (Svoboda) White and fiancé Kelly Hillburn of Waco, Carrie (Svoboda) Pesek and husband John of Sweethome, grandchildren; Charmayne (Svoboda) Perry and husband Stephen, Zachary Miles, Miles Svoboda, Sheridenn White, sisters; Viola (Svoboda) Darilek, Bessie (Svoboda) Sonntag, Lille (Svoboda) Herman. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, and a grandson Michael Gene Svoboda, Jr. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 11, 2014 at the St. James Catholic Church in Gonzales, Texas at 10 A.M. Family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9 A.M. Saturday, January 11, 2014.