Kenneth Alton Majka

Longtime Arlington resident Kenneth Alton Majka passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 18, 2019. Kenneth was born on February 2, 1951 in Savannah, Georgia, to Lorene Elam Majka and Walter Charles Majka. He moved to Springtown, Texas when he was only a few days old. He started elementary school in Fort Worth and moved to Arlington in 1957. He attended Maxie Speer Elementary, Nichols Jr. High and graduated from Arlington High School in 1969. He was a member of the Varsity football team in '67 and '68. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington, Bachelors '73 and obtained his Masters of Business Administration '74. Ken was devoted to Linda, his wife of 46 years. He met his future bride while both were working at the Arlington Public Library. They married in 1973 and would have celebrated 46 years together this December. Early in their marriage, they endured eating beans & franks together while saving for their future home. They grew, learned and enjoyed life together often commenting on how lucky they had been. They often laughed about how little they made that first year but were still able to save for their home. Their two daughters are Staci and Rebecca. Ken took much pride in the individual successes of his daughters and their families. He especially loved his grandchildren and cherished moments with all of his family. He loved going to soccer games, karate tournaments, school plays and concerts, anything that involved his grandchildren. He loved the trips he took every summer and spring break with all four of his grandchildren. Riding the Amtrak to San Antonio, lazy rivers, arcades, Galveston Beach, South Padre, rock climbing at Robber's Cave, caving, spending the weekend at Fossil Rim or sleeping in a caboose were just a few of their Grandparent Road Trips. He wrote special plays around a theme for each trip and included costume supplies for each character. Ken enjoyed being a father and grandfather. He loved art projects and sketching with his girls and later with his grandkids. Joyful memories of telling the never-ending “Francis the Fairy” story, giving “rocky-rocks” in the rocking chair, and all the fun family vacations are embedded in the lives of each family member. Ken was a veteran member or the Boy Scouts of America, being active in the local Longhorn Council and Cross Timbers District for more than 60 years. He was very proud of being an Eagle Scout for 52 years. Ken was the recipient of the prestigious Silver Beaver Award, James E West Award and District Award of Merit. He received the Vigil Honor and Founders Award from the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's honor society. He enjoyed helping scouting by serving in various capacities, including adult workdays at Worth Ranch and planning Camporees. Ken always smiled when acquaintances told him that when they saw a Scout, they thought of him. He was proud of such an association. He tried to live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in his daily life. Ken's long-time hobby was his collection of Scout Memorabilia. His interest in Boy Scout history was exhibited by his working as a curator in the Worth Ranch Scout Camp museum and being a founder of the Longhorn Council Historic Society. He also volunteered at the National Boy Scout Museum in Irving and eventually was involved in packing the museum up when the museum closed and items were transferred to Philmont Scout Camp and the Summit. He continued volunteering in archiving materials at the BSA National Headquarters. He inventoried many one-of-a-kind, historic pieces of memorabilia and identified pieces previously unknown. Ken was a Vice President of Colonial Savings, Fort Worth, Texas from 1993-2017. At Colonial he served as the Compliance Manager, Corporate Secretary, Privacy Officer and Community Reinvestment Officer. Ken was also a past president of Neighborhood Opportunities of Fort Worth and Director of Housing Opportunities of Fort Worth; both nonprofit organizations help individuals achieve home ownership. He also served on the Tarrant County Salvation Army Board of Directors. Ken was a long-time member of Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Arlington. Ken enjoyed reading, telling corny jokes and spending time with family and friends. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, dry wit, knowledge of history and trivia, great integrity, his strong opinion and tremendously kind heart. He will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors: Wife, Linda Majka; daughters, Staci Crim, (Matt); Rebecca McCain, (Richard); Grandchildren, Natalie and Julianne Crim, Samantha and Riley McCain; brother, Donald Majka, (Ora) and sister, Catherine Williams, (Randy). Visitation is Sunday, November 24 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Wade Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Funeral is Monday, November 25 at 2:00 PM at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 2100 N. Davis, Arlington. Burial is Tuesday, November 26 at 3:00 PM at Moore Memorial Garden, 1219 N. Davis, Arlington. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you say a silent prayer on Kenneth's behalf, share any kind memories you may have of Ken, and consider a memorial donation for camper scholarships to Worth Ranch through the Brazos Club, Campership Fund, to David Moller at PO Box 8596, Fort Worth, Texas 76124. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233