COLUMBUS, Texas – Colorado County sheriff's officials said a Columbus man died after shooting a firework off his chest. Justin Bartek, 30, died at Columbus Community Hospital on Tuesday.
"He just had an infectious spirit, whenever you met him you met a friend," said Erica Jackson.
Bartek is well known in the small town of Columbus. Friends described him as a veteran postal worker full of personality and generosity.
"He was the light of many people's lives and the world to the people that knew him, and he would give the world to any that asked," said Jackson.
Sheriff's officials said Bartek and friends were shooting off fireworks at a popular fishing spot on the Colorado River. Sheriff's officials said Bartek put one the fireworks on his chest. When it went off he was critically injured and died after he was rushed to the hospital by paramedics.
"He was here yesterday smiling and talking to everyone and saying, 'Hi,'" said Jackson. "And today you get the sad news that he's just not here."
Bartek leaves behind a 3-year-old son and a trail of people who had gown accustomed to the smile, wave and friendly banter he delivered to everyone along his postal route.
"You don't see that smiling face coming at you and just waving and just giving you a nice little pep in your day," said Jackson. "I was driving by to go to the post office and I saw a postal truck, and just out of habit is to go wave and it wasn't him."
Bartek's mother told KPRC 2 her son grew up in Katy and graduated from Katy High School before moving to Columbus. Butter Bartek said she and her husband are on their way back to town from Colorado where they were tending to Bartek's brother, who had been in an accident on the Fourth of July.
Sheriff's officials said an autopsy will determine exactly how Bartek died.