Cover photo for Joseph J. Kazmar's Obituary
Joseph J. Kazmar Profile Photo
1941 Joseph 2023

Joseph J. Kazmar

October 28, 1941 — August 17, 2023

Joseph J. Kazmar
Joseph J. Kazmar, 81, of Orange, Texas, passed away on August 17, 2023, peacefully at home.

Memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 21, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Visitation will begin prior at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 21, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Schenectady, New York, on October 28, 1941, he was the son of Joseph W. Kazmar and Genevieve (Urban) Kazmar. When Joseph was young, he was a part of the Schenectady Little Leaguers. In 1954, the little leaguers won the World Series and that began his love of sports. Joseph received a scholarship to McNeese for baseball and played minor league baseball with the Chicago Cubs organization. He retired as a fleet and lease manager from The Orange GM and Toyota Dealership. Joseph wrote a sports column “Kaz’s Korner” for the Orange Leader for many years and later moved to the Opportunity Valley News and most recently the Orange County Record. He helped broadcast the Friday night football games with Richard Corder for KOGT for about 20 years. When he was not working, he loved golf and played tournament bridge, as well as fishing and bi-weekly poker with his friends. Joseph loved to save money and was big into couponing. He loved spending time with his family by playing board games. Joseph had a huge heart and made sure everyone was always taken care of. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew this wonderful man.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen “KK” Kazmar; and parents, Joseph W. Kazmar and Genevieve Kazmar.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan Kazmar; children, Karen Kazmar Smith, Cathy Whitehead, and Denise Bybee; grandchildren, Ryan Smith Potter, Logan Joseph Smith, Jennifer Whitehead, Shannon Whitehead, Leah Ryder, and Josie Ryder Kohler; 2 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard “Dick” Kazmar; sister, Roberta “Bobby” Wechter; as well as other loving family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/ .

Cremation will be held under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph J. Kazmar, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, August 21, 2023

Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Funeral Home Orange

504 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Monday, August 21, 2023

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Claybar Funeral Home Orange

504 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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