Thaddeus Anthony Podbielski

Thaddeus A. Podbielski, age 79, of Gatesville, was received into heaven on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Gatesville. A Rosary followed by visitation with the family will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2026, at Scott’s Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

Thad was born on March 4, 1947, in Vienna, Austria, on a U.S. military base, to Anthony and Joan Podbielski. He was raised in Bayonne, NJ, in a strong Polish community. He spoke both Polish and English interchangeably and embraced his family’s history, culture, and sacrifice. He graduated from Bayonne High School and went on to attend Saint Peter’s University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1968 as an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate. He later received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1972.

Following law school, he began 44 years of combined military and civilian service to his country, commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He spent his early Army years in Germany as an International Affairs Liaison Officer. Upon returning to the United States, he served in several roles, including Claims Judge Advocate and advisor to cadets facing Honor Boards at West Point, as well as Center Judge Advocate for Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.

While continuing his service as a reservist, he began his civilian career as Senior Labor Counselor for Fort Hood, assigned to the office of the III Corps and Fort Hood Staff Judge Advocate. He served in that role from 1983 until his retirement in 2017, earning a reputation for exceptional expertise and professionalism. In this capacity, he provided civilian personnel legal counsel to leadership across all Fort Hood commands and represented the Army in administrative proceedings, including matters before the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in labor relations and union negotiations.

He also earned a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. His military education included the U.S. Air Force War College and the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master of Strategic Studies.

He served 10 years on active duty and nearly 21 years in the Army Reserve, retiring from military service in 2004 with the rank of Colonel.

His love for his country was only rivaled by his love for his wife and family. He and his wife shared a passion for travel and had planned to see the world together in retirement. Those plans changed when he lost his wife, Connie, to breast cancer in 2009. He always encouraged his children to pursue their ambitions, believing no dream was too big. This spirit was reflected in the many projects and ideas that filled their 24-acre farm just outside Gatesville, including his love of beekeeping, where he lived from 1983 until his passing.

A devout Catholic, he was a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes in Gatesville and an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He served his faith with passion and consistency, compiling a history of the parish for its Golden Jubilee in 1998 and authoring an updated history for its Diamond Jubilee in 2022.

In his youth, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, an accomplishment he carried with pride throughout his life, and remained actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America, dedicating himself to mentorship and service to others.

He was also an active member of the McLennan County Master Gardeners, where he worked to help beautify the surrounding communities. He recently authored the history of that organization as well.

He loved fiercely and was the embodiment of loyalty and service to others. He held an immeasurable love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were always close to his heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Connie.

Thad is survived by his son Mark Podbielski and his wife Mary Beth of Gatesville; their children, Isaac, Lois, Elijah, Silas, and Willow. His son Anthony Podbielski and his wife Vanessa of Waco; his daughter Kayla Podbielski of Wisconsin; his great-grandchildren, Emy, Owen, and Salem; and his brother Peter Podbielski and wife Christine of Virginia.

Memorials in Thad’s name may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1108 W Main St, Gatesville, TX 76528.