Cory A. Moravec, 24

Cory Allen Moravec, 24, of Arlington, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha after a lengthy and courageous battle with lymphoma.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 14 at the Arlington City Auditorium at 10:30 a.m. A graveside service will follow at the Arlington Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday at the Arlington Community Church from 4 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

As a young boy, Cory enjoyed "farming" with his toy tractors. He had quite a collection of red ones (from the Moravec side) and green ones (from the Shuster side). He never missed a chance to go to the farm and ride on a tractor, combine or the 4-wheeler! He loved being outside and was his dad's shadow for many years. He liked helping his mom in the kitchen, but only if he got to eat cookie dough or lick the brownie bowl! Cory and his sister, Katie, enjoyed playing ball outside, sledding, snowmobiling and playing with their dogs, Winston and Dakota. Indoor days were spent fighting over Legos or Cory having farming accidents over Katie's Barbies. This resulted in many time-outs for the young lad!

He was a regular attendee (with some prodding from mom and dad) of Sunday school at Arlington Community Church, where he was also confirmed. He attended Arlington Public Schools from kindergarten through graduation. He was an honor student, scholar athlete and is a member of the Arlington Hall of Fame.

Cory was active in sports, and he enjoyed baseball and football; however, his passion was wrestling. He started wrestling at the age of 5, and through hard work, dedication, and determination, worked his way up to a 5th-place state medal his senior year. He graduated in 2012 from Arlington High School with honors. Following this, he attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, earning his associate's degree in diesel mechanics with high distinction. He served on a diesel program advisory board at the college since graduation.

He worked in a co-op program at Titan Machinery in Fremont, Nebraska, while attending college. He continued this employment after graduation until establishing his own business, Moravec Diesel Service, in rural Arlington. He also operated a cow/calf operation on the family farm.

Cory garnered a few nicknames during his life that have stuck. As a preschooler, Aunt Kathy named him "George"; he named her "Matilda. Classmates called him "COMO".

Cory enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working on his demolition derby cars that he took to county fairs. In his last year of being able to participate in derbies, he placed 1st at the Washington County Fair. He was awarded the "Mad Dog" prize at the Saunders County Fair as being the most aggressive demo derby driver on the track. He was a talented diesel mechanic and welder, building many of his own tools and equipment for use in his trade. What he loved most was his family and hanging out in the shop with his friends and his beloved shotgun-riding dog, Bo.

Cory is survived by his parents, Keith Moravec of Arlington and Susie Moravec of Fremont; sister, Katie Moravec of Papillion; and his Labrador Retriever, Bo; grandmothers: Julie Shuster of Blair and Beverly Moravec of Arlington; aunts and uncles include: Scott (Karen) Shuster of Rock Creek, WV, Sheryl (Troy) Rodgers of Elkhorn, Kent (Lisa) Moravec of Ithaca, Daryl (Kathy) Moravec of Howells, Mich., Sharon (Scott) Thompson of Blair, Lori Moravec (Jeff Varhol) of San Francisco, CA; many cousins; and a host of close friends, including special friend, Carly Lagasse of Omaha, and dear friend, Cassie Voss of Arlington.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Larry Moravec and Harvey Shuster, and cousin, Gracie Shuster.

Memorials may be directed to the Moravec family for later designation.

Published in the Pilot Tribune August 14, 2017 by reporter Leeanna Ellis

Coach Brandon Mues knew Cory Moravec was a “natural fit” for wrestling and was determined to recruit him for Arlington High School's team.

“A tough, strong farm kid with vice grips for hands and a gentle heart,” Mues said.

Moravec was a “quiet leader” on the wrestling mat, Mues said. He wrestled junior varsity his first three seasons.

“Most young men would have quit after not making varsity even after one or two years,” Mues said. “But Cory understood there was more to wrestling than wins and losses or results in a newspaper.”

With hard work and determination, Moravec wrestled varsity his senior year and qualified for the 2012 Nebraska State Wrestling Meet. He finished fifth.

“I've coached many great wrestling matches over my career," Mues said. " I've coached both of my sons and many other great individuals over that span. But Cory's wrestling match that earned him a Nebraska state medal will always be my greatest match.

“Other coaches just watched in awe at how this kid was able to persevere and fight through for the win," he said. " Even today, a few of them will stop and talk to me about that particular match."

Moravec died Aug. 8 after a lengthy battle with lymphoma. He was 24.

Throughout his illness, Moravec kept that positive attitude and hard work ethic so many of his friends remember.

“Even until the end, he was putting absolutely everything he could (into it),” classmate Allie (Leaver) Lyons said. “He was so passionate about whatever he put his mind to.”

Classmate Cody Erickson recalled Moravec's confidence.

“He was always so confident in himself, whether it was an idea for a tractor or his pickup,” Erickson said. “Whatever he thought was gonna work, in his mind, it was going to work, no doubt. We might have thought he was crazy, but he didn't care.”

Taylor Scheer described Moravec as “probably one of the best friends I ever had.”

Scheer and Moravec grew up along the same county road and “raised trouble all over the place,” Scheer said.

The pair, who played T-ball and peewee football together, would often ride four-wheelers across the fields.

“When we were younger, we'd do a lot of hunting,” Scheer said.

But Moravec's passion was for tractors and diesel engines.

During college, Moravec purchased a book about the history of International tractors.

“He'd find interesting facts about it and inform us all about it,” Scheer said.

Moravec attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk, where he graduated with high distinction and earned an associate's degree in diesel mechanics. He also served on the diesel program advisory board for the college.

Moravec worked for Titan Machinery in Fremont before establishing his own business, Moravec Diesel Service in rural Arlington.

“Anytime I ever needed anything, I could call him up he'd know about it,” Scheer said.

Moravec continued working even after his diagnosis. Friend and classmate Tanner Schmidt said he didn't let that keep him down.

“He was determined,” Schmidt said. “As soon as he'd get home from the hospital, he'd go right back to working.”

Moravec also enjoyed working on his demolition derby cars. He competed in the Washington, Dodge and Saunders county fairs.

In 2015, Moravec took first place in the compact class at the Washington County Fair derby with his No. 32M car. He also won the “Mad Dog” award for being the most aggressive driver at the Saunders County Fair.

“He had fun doing that,” said Scheer, who watched his friend compete in Arlington. “It was something to do that was different. Who doesn't like beating the crap out of cars?”

Moravec's friends also recalled his fondness for sarcasm.

“He always had something witty to say,” Scheer said.

“But he was also very caring and be willing to help anybody,” Lyons said. “He always had a smile on his face.”

Schmidt, who was involved in a car accident a year ago, experienced Moravec's compassion firsthand.

Despite his own illness, Moravec was there for his friend, who was in a hospital and a rehabilitation center for months.

“He'd always come down and see me,” Schmidt said. “He was really caring.”

Funeral services for Moravec were held Monday at the Arlington Auditorium. Following the service, a long line of 40 tractors — including Internationals — led the processional to the Arlington Cemetery.

Moravec is survived by his parents, Keith Moravec of Arlington and Susie Moravec of Fremont; sister, Katie Moravec of Papillion; his Labrador retriever, Bo; and grandmothers, Julie Shuster of Blair and Beverly Moravec of Arlington.

Funeral Leaflet

In Loving Memory Of Cory Allen Moravec

Born August 6, 1993 Blair, Nebraska; Entered Into Rest August 8, 2017 Omaha, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10:30 am Monday, August 14, 2017 Arlington Village Auditorium, Arlington, Nebraska Officiating: Pastor A. David Paul.

Musical Selections: “Blessings”; “What Faith Can Do”; “Eye of the Storm”

Pallbearers: Alex Ott, Bryce Andreasen, Cody Erickson, Zach Erickson, Avery Rolland, Kelby Rolland, Tanner Schmidt, Trevor O’Dell, Bo

Honorary Pallbearers: Taylor Scheer, Will Rhea, Garrett Wrich, Dan Kermeen, Billy Ruwe, Justin Stork, Josh Hilgenkamp

Place of Rest: Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Nebraska

~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska. ~~~

FindaGrave # 183003259