Martin F. (Francis) Rogala, 87, passed away at his home in Ennis on May 26, 2022. Francis was born February 4, 1935, to Julia (Jamroz) Rogala and Martin Rogala, Sr. and was the youngest of three siblings. He grew up in Ennis and played football for Ennis High School, where he graduated. As a young man, he delivered groceries for Raymond Christian's Grocery Store where he met many life-long friends. He married the love of his life, Betty (Lekar) Rogala, and had one daughter, Christi.

Francis worked for William Volker & Co., in Dallas, Texas for over three decades, and retired from Leggett & Platt in Ennis. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, S.P.J.S.T., K.J.T., and American Sokol. He was influential in the creation of the Ennis National Polka Festival and was a committed steward and officer of the Festival for nearly 30 years. He was extremely proud of his Polish heritage and never missed a year of the Polka Festival. He enjoyed greeting visitors at the parade, and rarely forgot a face of the many he met.

Francis loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed riding on his golf cart listening to Polka music, and treated his cattle like pets. In retirement, he began each day with coffee club friends Lawrence Honza, Bob Mitchell and Franklin Dobbs at Braum's. He loved to laugh, and never met a stranger. For more than 50 years, he regularly donated blood at Wadley Blood Bank in Dallas. He was extremely devoted to Betty and never left her side during a brave battle with bone-marrow cancer. He lived his life in service to others and was truly fulfilled by self-sacrifice and elevating those around him. We will remember Francis for his dry wit, kindness, and generosity. He touched the lives of so many, and will be deeply missed.

Francis is preceded in death by his loving wife Betty, together for over 60 years, his parents, mother and father in-law Jess and Agnes (Zajic) Lekar, sisters Cathryn Hoefer [husband F.E. (Bubba) Hoefer, Jr.], Dorothy Fox [husband William Emmett (Bill) Fox, Jr.], brothers in-law Louis Valek, Eugene Lekar [wife Patricia Lekar], and one niece, Julie Fox.

He is survived by his daughter Christi Rogala Miller, her husband Bernard Richard Miller, and his only grandson, Jess Devlin Miller, who he loved more than life itself. He is also survived by one sister-in-law JoAnn Valek, nieces Sharon Goodwin, Deborah Carpenter, Margaret Hoefer, Barbara Cozart, Kathleen Fox, and nephews William Emmett Fox III, Martin Fox, Patrick Fox, Darren Lekar, David Lekar, Michael Valek, Donald Valek, Thomas Valek and their families.

Visitation and Rosary will be Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 24, 2022 at 10 a.m. at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to a charity of your choice, or simply remember Francis by playing "Beer Barrel Polka," and raising a glass in gratitude of friends.