Bret Matthew Safarik

Bret Safarik was born October 3, 1973 in Taylor, Texas and entered Paradise on November 26, 2023.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  He attended Taylor Public Schools until the third grade when he transferred to St. Mary’s Catholic School.  He attended St. Mary’s through the 5th grade and then transferred back to Taylor Public Schools.

He graduated from Taylor High School in 1992 with honors.  Among his honors included Rotary Scholar, National Honor Society, and other academic awards.  He enrolled in Texas A & M University where he was an outstanding freshman student earning the Gathright Scholar award in the College of Education.  He was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, and Kappa Delta Phi an international society in education.  Bret was also nominated as a Rhodes Scholar.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude.

After graduation he taught at Fannin Elementary in Bryan for two years as a 2nd grade and 1st grade teacher.  Bret moved back to Taylor and taught the majority of time in 1st grade, which was his passion.  He taught for over 20 years at Pasemann Elementary and his students excelled in his class.

He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Kathy Field.

He met and married Mindy Field, his soul mate, June 25, 2010.  They were blessed with a son Benjamin Stephenson Safarik, on May 12, 2014.  His survivors include his beloved wife and best friend, Mindy, his best buddy Benjamin, his parents, Larry and Katy Safarik.  He's also survived by his brother Kent Safarik and nephew John Lawrence Safarik, his father-in-law Don Field, Aunt Wandeen Sakewitz, his brother-in-law Chris Field, and wife Nicole, his sister-in-law Kellie Field Fehler and husband Andrew Fehler, his brother-in-law Travis Field and wife Katie, in addition to his cousins, nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 8th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Providence Funeral Home.  Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, Dec.9th at 10:00 am at St Paul Lutheran Church, in Taylor, TX with a reception to follow immediately at Taylor ISD’s Events Center.

Memorials may be given to Hope Lodge , MD Anderson Hospital , PO Box 149275, Austin, Texas 78714 or to Library at Naomi Pasemann Elementary, Attn: Julie Snyder, 2809 North Dr., Taylor, Texas 76574 or charity of your choice.