Joey walked into the face of danger and made the ultimate sacrifice of his life on April 17, 2013, protecting his community by battling a blaze at a local fertilizer plant in West, Texas, which ended in an explosion. Although not successful in extinguishing the blaze, it gave the citizens of West precious time to save countless lives.
Joey was born on August 3, 1983. He graduated from West High School in 2001 and then attended McLennan Community College. He had previously worked at Sears and also for the McLennan County Appraisal District, where he was a personal property appraiser.
At the young age of 29, Joey was a committed man to his family, his church, and to his community, and he served all well. Joey was an active member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, where he organized the Catholic Brothers and Sisters United youth group and served two years as the youth minister. He had worked as the West city secretary for the past four years and was a member of the West Volunteer Fire Department, where he also served as the treasurer. As West city secretary, he was instrumental in securing many grants for city improvements. He approached every job with passion and integrity, no matter how tedious or difficult it may have been.
He was a member of the West ACTS group, where he had served as past director and served on the West ACTS Core as secretary/treasurer. Joey was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2305 of West and the Monsignor George Dosckocil 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly #2319 of West. Joey loved to hunt, loved Texas A&M sports, loved being with his family and friends, and working in his yard.
Joey is survived by his wife, Kelly; his son, Parker Pustejovsky; his stepchildren, Kayla Bridgeford, Beau Bridgeford, and Ashley Bridgeford; his parents, Joe and Carolyn Pustejovsky; his brother, Brad Pustejovsky, and wife, Dolores; his grandmother, Teresa Compton; and his in-laws, Joe and Brenda Sebesta.
I met Joey’s beautiful, wonderful family today , it was such an honor . Thank you Joey for the ultimate sacrifice you made . Rest in heaven , my hero .
– Patricia A Vick