EAST BERNARD — Fire Chief Randall “Randy” Gene Kresta, 65, passed away Oct. 2, following nearly 40 years of service with the East Bernard Volunteer Fire Department.
Kresta spent 25 years as chief, helping neighbors in East Bernard and responding to needs across Wharton County and Texas, according to his obituary published by Wharton Funeral Home.
His son, Nicholas, grew up around that work. In a biography published by the Texas EMS Alliance, Nicholas said his father joined the department when he was just one month old. Nicholas became an East Bernard volunteer firefighter at 18 and later worked for Wharton EMS.
A 1979 Boling High School graduate, Randy married Daephne Smaistrla in 1984, and the couple settled in East Bernard.
Away from the department, he enjoyed fishing, taking out his pontoon boat, golfing, playing dominoes and cooking for family and community gatherings. His obituary also remembers him as a skilled mechanic who loved spending time with his five grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Daephne; daughter Sara Wind; son Nicholas Kresta; grandchildren; and other relatives.
Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard, with a rosary at 7 p.m.
Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at the church. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, with a reception afterward at the East Bernard American Legion Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations to the East Bernard Volunteer Fire Department.
Photo courtesy of Wharton Funeral Home.
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