Henry Dean Svoboda

Henry Dean Svoboda, 90, passed away peacefully at home in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 14, 2026.

Henry was born on May 29, 1935, in Elba, Nebraska to second generation Czech-American parents.

After graduating from Hastings College, Hank enlisted in the Navy in 1958 to become a naval aviator and received his wings in 1960. While on the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge, he flew helicopters that helped pick up NASA astronauts after splashdown in 1962 and 1963. He flew P-3 aircraft during the Vietnam War. His last station was as a flight instructor at NAS - Corpus Christi.

After retiring from the Navy as a captain in 1982, he purchased Flour Bluff Lumber Co. and later founded Padre Island Maintenance.

Henry was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He will be remembered by loved ones as an honest, warm, and kind-hearted husband, father, and grandfather with a good sense of humor.

Henry is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Jacqueline Lemmon Svoboda; son, Jay Svoboda; daughters, Kimberly Clark, Deeanne Galvan, and Misty Svoboda; son-in-law, Bobby Galvan, Jr.; and grandchildren, Kyle Clark, Kent Clark, Kurt Clark, Jacqueline Blaine Svoboda Young and Jacqueline Alicia “Lexi” Galvan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Svoboda, Sr. and Katherine (Spilinek) Svoboda of Elba; infant sister, Charlotte; brother, Gordon “Corky” Svoboda of Grand Island; and granddaughter, Katherine Guevara.