Joe Hensley Sr.

Joe Alex Hensley, Sr. passed away in his sleep on Friday, November 11, 2016. He was 93 years old, born February 5, 1923 in Beaumont, Texas to Jay Douglas Hensley and Nellie Mae Mankel Hensley. He was the youngest of 5 children. His siblings, Martha Kathleen Yoder, Jay Douglas Jr, William Reece, and Mary Idanell Goen all predeceased him. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Evelyn Hensley of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Joe spent his youth fishing, hunting, and exploring the bayous around Lake Charles, Louisiana. An avid fisherman, he passed that love down to his children, grandchildren, and great-children, and anyone else who wanted to learn how to fish, teaching each one in turn how to tie knots, cast a fishing rod, and hook a fish. Everyone was expected to bait their own hooks and clean their own catch, as taught by a gentle man who prided himself on those survival skills.

He was married to his sweetheart, Mary Elodie "Tee" Daigle, for 61 years before her death in 2003 separated them temporarily. There were three children born to their union - Mary, who died in infancy, and Jo Ann Clafferty & spouse of Livingston, Texas and Joe Hensley, Jr & wife Sharon of Texas City, Texas who survive him. He is also survived by grandchildren Thomas Michael Hensley & wife Casey of Denver,Colorado, and David Alex Hensley and wife Rachel of Texas City, Texas,Elodie Jo "Teejo" Gasca & spouse Lupe, of Galena Park, Texas, Kelly Ann Gonzalez of Houston, Texas, Colleen Marie Montague of Katy, Texas. He was predeceased in death by 6 grandchildren, Mabel Jeannine"Jeannie" Clafferty, Concetta Michelle Clafferty, John Luke Hensley, Sarah Kathleen Hensley, Mary Theresa Hensley, and Joseph Randal Hensley.

He was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren Joseph Thomas "JT" Hensley, and Wyatt Broxson Hensley, Khamron Gregory Hensley, Sean Alex Hensley, Alyssia Lynne Dieringer, Marcus Dwayne Dieringer & fiancé Nancy Ventura, Taylor George Surratt, Jr, Tyler Joseph Surratt, Taryn Nicole Surratt, Christopher Johnson and wife Holly, Jason Gasca, Brent Joseph Clafferty, Michelle Diane Rives and husband Brian, Jessica Gonzalez, Ashley Marie McChesney and husband Shad, and Christina Lyn Montague. Great-great grandchildren are Elijah James Ventura, Jason J Gasca, Isabella M Johnson, Avery Rives, Jackson Rives, Everett Rives, Alexander Cedric McChesney, and James McChesney.

Joe proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a medic in World War Il in Europe. His work experiences varied from being a roughneck in the oil fields of east Texas, to air conditioner mechanic, to shop superintendent for maintenance contractors at NASA where he worked with Gemini and Apollo flights as well as the Lunar Receiving lab and Skylab. Joe retired as an engineering assistant from Amoco Oil. Joe was a hard worker and a talented problem solver; he could fix or make almost anything.

Joe was a member of St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Church for the past 50 years, active in the Men's Club and the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight for the Texas City Council.

There will be a visitation for family and friends from 5 to 7pm, followed by a rosary and vigil service on Tuesday, November 15th at the Emken-Linton Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, at 10:30am on Wednesday, November 16th. Pallbearers will be Thomas Hensley, David Hensley, Taylor Surratt, Tyler Surratt, Jim Webb, and George Hatch. Honorary pallbearers will be Khamron Hensley, Sean Hensley, JT Hensley, Wyatt Hensley, and Marcus Dieringer.

The family would also like to express their gratitude to the staff of Mainland Center Hospital and Ashton Parke Care Center for their care and kindness shown during his stay there. In lieu of flowers, donations to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School or the St. Vincent de Paul Society may be made in his name.

Visitation

EmkenLinton Funeral Home
5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway
Texas City, TX  77592
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
5:00- 7:00 P.M.

Rosary and Vigil

EmkenLinton Funeral Home
5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway
Texas City, TX  77592
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
7:00 P.M.

Service

St. Marys of the Miraculous Medal
1604 9th Ave. North
Texas City, TX  77590
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
10:30 A.M.

Memorial Contributions

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
1600 9th Ave N
Texas City, TX  77590


St. Vincent de Paul Society
300 Fm 517 Rd E
Dickinson, TX  77539