Marion Francis Nesvadba

Marion Francis Nesvadba, a beloved musician, consummate maestro, teacher, friend, father, and loving husband, passed peacefully away at the age of 82 on Friday, May 22, 2026, while vacationing in Colorado.

Marion was born on August 22, 1943, in the Czech town of Rosenberg, TX. His father managed a department store where he and his brother, Reggie, worked as children. His service in the Church began as an altar boy, which led him to enter Catholic seminary. He would soon realize his true calling was not the priesthood, but to serve his community as a musician.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston, TX, and a Master of Music Performance degree in Voice and Choral Conducting from the University of Houston. Throughout his education and career, he worked with many esteemed choral and orchestral conductors, including Bev Henson, Sir John Barbirolli, Roger Wagner, and Robert Shaw. Marion became Liturgist and Music Director at numerous churches, including St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Houston; Holy Family Catholic Church, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, and St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth; and lastly, The Catholic Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Arlington, TX.

In addition to his church work, he taught music to countless students at La Porte High School and Lee College in Baytown, conducted numerous Community Choruses, presented musicals at the Baytown Little Theater, and was Assistant Director of the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the Houston Grand Opera Chorus.

After moving to Fort Worth, he served as Associate Professor of Music at Tarrant County College for over 30 years. Cherished by his students, Marion developed numerous music programs, including choirs, orchestras, and many opera and musical theater productions. He also directed the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra and the choir at Nolan Catholic High School, which, under his baton, performed at the world-famous Carnegie Hall.

One of his earliest hobbies was photography. Later, Marion came to love hiking in the mountains, playing tennis, tinkering with home improvement projects, riding scooters, feeding “The Zoo” (made up of backyard squirrels and birds), and playing beautiful music on the classical guitar. He also enjoyed adorning his Prius with flaming magnetic decals.

Marion was a passionate, tender, generous, and loving gentleman who lived his life to the fullest and loved his life with childlike awe. Always full of energy, it is no wonder he passed from this life into the next in the Rocky Mountains, a place he loved and hiked as often as he could.

Marion is survived by his loving wife of over 29 years, Mary; his 4 beautiful children: Mary Susan Nesvadba and her husband, Dennis Blake; Jonathan Nesvadba and his wife, Elise Embry; Joel Nesvadba and his girlfriend, Caitlin MacRae; and his youngest daughter, Jamie Nesvadba. He is also survived by his brother, Monsignor Reginald Nesvadba; his cousin Allen Stibora and his wife Beth; and his former wife, Christine Derber-Leuck.

He is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Richard Nesvadba; his mother, Regina Rosalie Stibora; his son, Jeremiah Collis Nesvadba; and his former wife, Susan Jelmini-Haynes.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 2 pm at The Catholic Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 1408 North Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76012. A rosary service will be held in the sanctuary before Mass, and all are welcome to attend a reception given in Marion’s honor in the parish hall after the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Catholic Charities, The Heart Association, The National Kidney Foundation, or The Catholic Church of St. Mary the Virgin.