Charles “Caz” Sabonis Jr., age 63, of Plano, Texas passed away on October 12, 2019. He was born on July 18, 1956 in Utica, New York to Elizabeth Ann (Marchilonis) and Charles John Sabonis. Caz graduated from UT Arlington with a Bachelor in Computer Technology.
Charles John Sabonis Jr., well known as Caz, lived a life that was more about the journey not the destination. Caz experienced a lot by taking the road less traveled. He was a talented dual sport athlete at New York Mills H.S. in basketball and baseball. He became a pitching legend in central New York with a 95+ mph fastball, throwing 3-no hitters and receiving N.Y. H.S. player of the year as a senior. Moving to Texas he attended UTA where he obtained a B.S. of Computer Science. Here he continued and ended his baseball career by throwing a no hitter against Kansas in the original Arlington Stadium. Caz went on to a successful technology career working for various Fortune 50 firms. As Caz’s journey continued he pursued his love of collectibles by working for Cash America Pawn gaining a wealth of knowledge, becoming an expert in firearms, antiques and collectibles. Which led him to open his own pawnshop, Hurst Super Pawn. After a successful run in the pawn business, Caz went back to IT at PepsiCo where he was a highly regarded employee. Although Caz never married or had children his joy in life came through his nieces and nephews. He stressed education and encouraged athletic competition by hardly ever missing a school event: football, baseball, cheerleading, powerlifting, and swimming, playing in the park or any activity in which they participated and encouraged them to pursue their passions. Caz had many talents, he was an avid firearms collector with fondness for skeet and trap shooting, a talented duck hunter to the extent of being a supporter of the 2nd amendment and NRA Lifetime member. Caz had an appreciation for vintage and classic memorabilia and knew where every pawnshop, antique store and flea market in N. Texas was. He could restore just about anything from a vintage Acutron watch to antique amplifier to repairing brakes on his car. There is so much to tell, Caz’s path was like traveling the country on rural roads instead of the highway, he stopped to experience all he could leaving those he encountered in a better place.
Caz is survived by his five siblings, James Sabonis and his wife, Angela of Dallas, Texas, Chris Sabonis and his wife, Sandi of Frisco, Texas, Susan Joiner and her husband, Robert of Dallas, Texas, Kevin Sabonis and his wife, Sharlene of San Ramon, California and Sharon Sabonis of Livermore, California, six nieces and nephews, James Sabonis Jr., Nicholas Swisher, Cole Joiner, Emily Joiner Hughes and her husband, Ben, Kaden Sabonis, and Chloe Sabonis; friend, Nicole Wheeler.
Caz was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Charles Sabonis.
Family and friends are invited to a Visitation at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 8520 Main Street, Frisco, Texas 75033, on Friday, October 18, 2019 from 6PM to 8PM with a Rosary beginning at 7:45PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 3990 W. University Drive, Prosper, Texas, 75078, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 10:30AM with Rev. Stephen Hauck presiding. Interment will follow at Pecan Grove Cemetery, 1709 S. McDonald, McKinney, Texas, 75069.