Donnie Prihoda

Donnie W. Prihoda passed suddenly on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at his home in Damon, Texas. He was 62 years of age.

Born in Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas, on February 3, 1959, Donnie was the son of Rudolph John Prihoda, Sr. and Sophie Flisowski Prihoda. He grew up in the Varner Creek area of Brazoria County, and he graduated from West Columbia High School in 1977.

He grew up in a farming family, and he loved it himself. In high school, he excelled in it individually and received many awards through FFA, including the American FFA Degree-the highest degree possible in National FFA. He worked as a farmer of cotton and milo for a few years, and he even participated in the first American Farmer Strike in 1977.

Donnie was married to the love of his life, his wife, Annette, for close to 42 years. In addition to being a devoted husband, he was also a loving father to his three children: Danielle, Paige, and Zachary. Family meant everything to him, and Donnie ensured that the family unit spent time together, usually outdoors, hunting, fishing, riding dirt bikes and enjoying each other.

For 41 years, Donnie worked at W.A. Parish Generating Station in Thompsons, Texas. There, he worked his way up to the position of Mechanic/Welder. His proudest accomplishments in his career were related to his participation in the plant’s Emergency Response Team (ERT). He was a founding member of the team and achieved the rank of lieutenant with it.

He was trained in all five competencies: High Angle Rescue Advanced Pro Board, Medical, Hazmat Response, Confined Space Rescue, and Firefighting. He was a talented emergency responder who devoted many weekends to helping train others to become better first responders. He also spent countless hours building projects to aid training for the Fort Bend County Fire Field in Richmond, TX and he often brought his family along to help him with this important work.

Donnie loved spending time outside. Every evening he went and fed the fish in his pond. He would often be found tinkering with machines in his shop or spending time on his boat but was never alone. His family- his wife, his children, his siblings, or extended family- was with him every step of the way, and he always enjoyed being with them.

Donnie was preceded in death by his son, Zachary Alexander Prihoda; niece, Regina Prihoda Genzer; and his parents, Sophie and Rudolph Prihoda, Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Zwahr Prihoda; daughters and sons-in-law Danielle and Anthony McLure and Paige and Cody Kalmus; grandson Chase Kalmus; Siblings Sophie Vazansky (John), Rudolph Prihoda Jr. (Veronica), MaryAnn Zwahr (Charles), and Jimmy Prihoda (Mary Ann); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, loved ones, and friends.

Viewing and visitation will be held at C.T. Baker & Sons Funeral Home (634 S. Columbia Drive) in West Columbia on Friday, October 29, from 5-7 pm, immediately followed by a rosary beginning at 7pm.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 30, at 10 am at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church (603 Parrott Ave) in Damon. A repast will be held immediately after the funeral at the church’s CCE hall. Burial will be held at Damon Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Matt Baranowski, Jimmy Lee Prihoda, Reece Prihoda, Colby Sweeny, Brett Vazansky, Corey Zwahr, Justin Zwahr, and Scott Zwahr.

In honor of his casual approach to life and clothing, the family asks that attendees dress comfortably and brightly. Attendees are encouraged to wear fishing shirts or other colorful and comfortable clothing with jeans.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Zachary Prihoda Culinary Scholarship that was created in his son’s memory at Alvin Community College. Donations can be made online at https://p2p.onecause.com/accclosedamb or by mailing a check to the Alvin Community College Foundation at 3110 Mustang Road, Alvin, TX, 77511. Please note on the donation that it is made in the memory of Donnie Prihoda.