Jerry Lee Henske

Jerry Lee Henske, 71, of Banquete, passed away February 14, 2021, at Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline in Corpus Christi, following an extended illness.

He was born August 17, 1949 in El Campo to Fred and Florence Buerger Henske. Jerry attended school in Ganado and Eagle Lake. He was united in marriage on June 21, 1969 to Linda Ann Breithaupt in Eagle Lake.

Jerry served 50 years working in the oil and gas industry. He started working for Tenneco Oil Company in October 1969 at the Chesterville location just outside of Eagle Lake. His transfers with Tenneco took him and his family from Eagle Lake to McAllen and then to Agua Dulce. Jerry’s last 14 years of employment were for CITGO Petroleum Corp in Corpus Christi as a measurement supervisor before his retirement on April 1, 2019.

Jerry’s high school extra-curricular activities included bull riding and cutting horse events. After marriage he still enjoyed those activities but also devoted time to the Eagle Lake volunteer fire department and the US Junior Chamber (Jaycees) organization. His two favorite sports were always fishing and hunting. His adventures with animals continued until the day he fell ill: training and racing quarter horses, raising livestock show swine, raising exotic birds, quail and all types of fowl, and most recently raising cattle.

His happy times were always with the grandchildren. He loved going to livestock shows and sporting events. Jerry was extremely proud of all six grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Florence Buerger Henske; and in-laws, E. H. “Sonny” and Dorothy Breithaupt.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 51 years, Linda Breithaupt Henske; two children, Kevin Henske and wife, Christine of Ricardo, and Tanya Stivors and husband, Jeffery of Castroville; two brothers, Michael Henske and wife, Penny and Mark Henske and wife, Anita of Eagle Lake; six grandchildren, Allison Henske, Wyatt Henske, Zane Henske, Tristan Stivors, Kyrstan Stivors, and Anistan Stivors; sisters-in-law, Shirley Seaholm and husband, Gus, and Connie Gertson and husband, Ralph Gertson Jr of Eagle Lake; brother-in-law, William “Bill” Breithaupt of Rockdale. Jerry is survived by one aunt, Annie Mae Buerger of Brenham, as well as other relatives including uncle-in-law, William “Billy” Taylor and wife, Carolyn of Rockdale, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Viewing and gathering of family and friends on Sunday, February 21, 2021 between 1:30PM and 4:00PM at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78410. Private cremation to follow.

For those desiring, the family has requested memorials be directed to Coastal Conservation Association, 6919 Portwest Dr. Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024 or Gulf Coast Humane Society, 3118 Cabaniss Rd. Corpus Christi, TX 78415.