A longtime, valued member of TOWA has turned off his computer and unplugged his microphone for the final time. On the fifth of January, 2023, Larry Bozka moved from Hallettsville to Heaven.
Professionally, he was an extremely popular outdoor radio personality in Houston for years, and hosted a fast moving, informative, and highly entertaining outdoor radio show, there. He kept the outdoors positive, alive, and highly energized.
In addition to being a hunter, he was a respected saltwater angler, author, authority, and speaker. His book, Saltwater Strategies, became a popular reference book for writers and anglers, and was celebrated at his numerous speaking engagements. Needless to say, fishing with him was an adventure. So was listening to him on the air, in person, or reading one of his myriad articles. He could turn a phrase you’ve never heard before faster than flipping on a light switch – and with equal illumination!
Walt Disney once said he would rather entertain people and hope they learned something than try to teach them but bore them in the process. Larry Bozka took Disney’s advice and turned it into an art form. He was never boring; always entertaining AND enlightening!
He served as editor of CCA’s Tide magazine, editor and publisher of Texas Fisherman magazine, and editor of Texas Fish and Game magazine. I know of no one who’s resumé rivaled his. Larry served as President and Director of TOWA and was recipient of the L.A. Wilke Award for Excellence in Outdoor Communication, the highest honor TOWA bestows.
“Boz,” as many knew him, was extremely outgoing (an almost comical understatement!). He treated those he didn’t know as an old friend he had just met. His sense of humor could have served him well as a stand-up comedian. He did much to shape the nature and image of TOWA. His ever-present, effervescent smile put everyone at ease. He never said “No” to any request to put on programs or do anything else for TOWA or any of its members — even if it bordered on being silly.
In my first message to his TOWA friends about his condition, I referred to him as “the heart and soul of TOWA during his active years.” He was that. And he never put anyone down with his wit, always amusing whomever he directed a smilingly delivered comment to about something they had done – me included!
The world could use more Larry Bozkas right now! And so could TOWA.
Larry’s wife, Liz, has contacted a suitable venue for a memorial service. It will be in Hallettsville near his family’s farm where they lived … when he wasn’t fishing in the bay.
Please join us an help celebrate a life fully lived and gladly shared.
Saturday, April 29, 4:00 p.m. – Kocian Bldg., 100 East 3rd St., Hallettsville, Texas 77964.
JJ
