After a long struggle with muscular dystrophy, Jack Oscar Hennig passed away at his home Thursday, April 12, 2012. Service: 2 p.m. Monday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel, 7301 E. Lancaster, Fort Worth. Visitation: The family will receive visitors 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2301 Fall Creek Highway, Granbury, Texas 76049; or The Salvation Army ARC, 2901 NE 28th St., Fort Worth, Texas 76111. "Mr. Jack" was born March 2, 1935, at home in Elgin to Frankie Gage Hennig and Oscar Martin Hennig. A lifelong Lutheran, he was confirmed on Easter in 1948 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Elgin. During his teenage years, Jack attended Manor High School where he excelled in football. Fortunate enough to earn a scholarship to the University of Texas, Jack graduated in 1957 with a degree in finance. Jack went on to work for American Bankers Finance for 12 years and then as a banker for 21. He was employed by Guaranty Bank of Dallas, as well as Forest Hill Bank and Haltom City Bank of Fort Worth. He had a strong work ethic and in addition to banking and finance, always maintained "a little business" on the side. He invested in many things over the years, from cars to real estate. Jack took great pride in being a Lutheran; he loved the church. He later served as finance chair during the formation of King of Glory Lutheran in Fort Worth and attended Emmanuel Lutheran in Granbury. In his younger years, Jack struggled with a drinking problem, but found recovery and shared his experience, strength and hope for the next 41 years with others similarly afflicted. Always community-minded, Jack helped those less fortunate than himself. He was a member of the Oak Cliff and Forest Hill Jaycees, and served for 15 years with Volunteers of America as finance chair. Jack loved life and he loved people. In his later years, his greatest joys were his grandchildren, family and his friends. He will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough have known him. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Donlyn Williams Hennig; and sisters, Grace Lyles and Adele Adams. Survivors: Wife, Claudia; sister, Dorothy Schilller; brother, Curtis Hennig; daughter, Donna Carter; daughter, Jacque Godwin and husband, John; daughter, Rachel Queiroz and husband, Messias; daughter, Sarah Garner; son, Daniel Garner; grandchildren, Wes Carter, Faith Godwin, Lucas Queiroz, Sam Queiroz, Ben Queiroz and Joel Thomas Gordon; and "borrowed" children, Joe Gordon and wife, Courtney, Charles Foster and Roy Lee Mitchell.
Published in Star-Telegram on April 14, 2012