Eugene Earl Shanks, Sr.

Eugene Earl Shanks, Sr.

Eugene Shanks, Sr., 88, passed away on Sunday evening, April 25, 2021 in a Houston hospital. He was born on the family homeplace in Burr, Texas on August 23, 1932 to the late James Hemphill and Mary Marie Chudalla Shanks.

Eugene served our country proudly in the United States Army, where he learned to fly. He married Jimma Lee Reynolds on June 26, 1953. She preceded him in death on December 9, 2010. Eugene worked as a mechanical engineer for Texas Gulf for over 25 years. They started an agriculture aviation business in the late 70’s. Eugene loved to fly, enjoyed fishing especially for flounder, and rebuilding aircraft. He was just someone that enjoyed work. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Carl Ramirez, siblings, Mary Ann Adams and Robert Shanks, and sisters-in-law, Evie Shanks and Barbara Shanks.

He is survived by his daughters, Vickie Lea Jetelina and husband, Henry of Wharton and Laura Lynn Ramirez of Wharton, son, Eugene Earl Shanks, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Eagle Lake, brothers, Buddy Shanks and wife, Suzanne, Don Shanks and wife, Mary, Andy Shanks and Bill Shanks, grandchildren, Melisse Reynolds, Courtney Jetelina, Brandon Shanks and wife, Stacey, Heather Shanks and Zach Daniels, Angela Parker LaFleur and husband, Robert and Heather Cope and husband John, and Stephen Ramirez great grandchildren, Elizabeth Murphy, April LaFleur, Sullivan Shanks, Rayne Shanks, Lexi Ramirez and Brighton Cope, and his special caregiver, Linda Harris.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021 at First Baptist Church, 527 N Lake Ave, Eagle Lake with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. and services at 11 am.

Memorial contributions can be made to Wounded Warrior Project @ woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.