"MR. Kornacki, I am now to find out you are no longer with us! You were the reason during my Middle School days that I will come to school, you help me so much in those days I felt so alone. You guided me like no one else did. I will never forget all the memories I had in class. Thank you so much for everything you did for me, you are a true angel! Elsa "
In loving memory of
Brett Russell Kornacki
September 30, 1972 - August 10, 2019
Brett Russell Kornacki was born on September 30, 1972 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland to Robert Kornacki and Mary Jane. He began his education in Butzbach, Germany, where he resided for three years with his dad, mom, and brother, Scott. From kindergarten through high school graduation, Brett attended the Lampasas public schools where he graduated with honors. Brett was in the National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society for four years, top ten percent, Lampasas Badger Football for five years, speech, debate, drama, UIL One-Act Play, and the winner of The American Legion "Voice of Democracy" Speech Contest.
Brett was baptized at age nine, was an Acolyte and was confirmed, and attended First Methodist Church and First Assembly Of God.
After his graduation with honors from The University of Texas at Austin, Brett welcomed his first son, Kristian Sheppard. He married Shawna Hall, and Liam Kornacki was born soon after. During this time, Brett began his life-long mission of inspiring the future generation by accepting a teaching position at Parades Middle School where he completed seventeen years with his beloved students and his dear friends.
Brett's life was passionately devoted to his sons, family, friends, and his students. On August 1, 2018, Brett was in a car accident which caused a diffuse traumatic brain injury. The way he threw himself into his PT, OT, and speech therapy for this past year was impressive; but his severely injured brain and body began breaking down. Surrounded by his loving family, Brett fought the good fight until his last breath, and then was welcomed home with open arms by his loving Heavenly Father.
Brett is survived by sons, Kristian Sheppard and Liam Kornacki of Austin, Texas; mother, Mary Jane Yanta; sisters Allison Yanta, Mary Beth Yanta, all of Austin; sister Jessica Huffman and Dan of Lanstul, Germany; father Robert Kornacki and Cathie of Platte City, Missouri; sister Tess Kornacki of Ft Leavenworth, Kansas; sister Erin Fetzer and Russell of Fort Riley,Kansas; sister-in-law Shelly Kornacki of Buda, Texas; nieces Rachel and Bethany Kornacki of Kyle, Texas, niece Rebekah Kornacki of Buda; nephew Luke Allen Huffman of Lanstul; aunt Susan Sylvester of New Jersey; aunt Deb Kornacki of North Carolina; Karen Yanta of San Antonio, Clarence Yanta and Dona, and Dorothy Yanta all of Karnes City; many Yanta cousins, cousins Charles Browne III and Yukari of Japan, Christine LaBruno of New Jersey, Jenn Sheffield and John of Florida, Travis Kornacki, USCG; many beloved extended family throughout the United States; foster brother Randy Patterson of Lampasas, Texas, Casey Patterson of South Carolina; Friends Shawna and Travis Kelso and children Vivian, Greta, and Wyatt of Austin, Rachael Morales and Cassie of Buda, Melissa Almanza and Phillip of Kyle, Susan Avery and sons Gerald and Eric Hoselton of Buda, Amy Burgess and son Nicholas of San Marcos, Kelly Rodriguez of Buda, Jason Stoneberg and Christina of Austin, Bergeron Harris and Laurinda of Georgetown, Erika Lea Peterson of Cedar Park, and Connie Cox and Chandler of Harker Heights.
Brett was preceded in death by brother Scott Kornacki, sibling Adrian Yanta, devoted stepdad, Allen Yanta, cousins Veronica Yanta and Brandon Kornacki, uncles Kerry Kornacki, Martin Yanta, Larry Yanta, and Brett's six grandparents.
Funeral services for Brett will be 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin. Visitation will follow the funeral until 3:00 PM. Burial will be at 3:30 PM at Forest Oaks Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will follow at Scholz Garden, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX.
Tributes
"Dear Brett, Thank you, for giving me something to look forward to through the rough years that middle school brings. I have carried you with me all these years, you are one teacher I will surely never forget and I am glad to say I was able to have someone like you to guide me! Memories of the laughs we had in class always come to me, thank you so much for bringing nothing but joy into my life, You will be greatly missed by me and many others. It was very heartfelt to hear this news and I wish I had found the time to come and visit once more. I send my love to your family. -Leila Levens "
"Thanks for being kind, patient, and funny, Coach K. Seeing you was always a pleasure, a highlight. You gave me, my friends, and many kids I've never met, knowledge, happy memories, and traits to aspire to. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives. Robert South I feel fortunate to be able to call Brett a friend during our school years. I know he enriched those around him with a life well lived. Jeff Brown"
"Dear Sweet Brett...the sun shines less brightly these days. You have been and will be missed by so many. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to know you. You made my life richer through your humor and compassion and dedication to your friends, family, and students. There are not words to describe the loss. To your family: the grief is great, I hope the pride you must feel for this beautiful man for all the lives he touched will help you heal . "
"I think of Brett as a friend of our son, Jeff Brown, and as a student I saw almost every day when he was a student at LHS. Brett was an intelligent, handsome, humorous guy! Our sympathy to his family from the Brown family."
"Oh, Brett! How I miss you!!! I know you are in a much better place, but our hearts hurt because our arms are empty. You will forever be remembered by students and staff at Paredes Middle School. I am so blessed to have known you. Rest Easy, My Friend. I know that Christ has welcomed you in to his loving arms and you are at peace once again."
"I'm so very sorry for yalls loss. He truly faught a good fight trying to get better. Sending lots of love and hugs to you and the family. "