J. Jankowski

J.W. Jankowski, after a three year courageous battle with cancer, answered God''s call on February the 16th, 2014, and entered into eternal rest with his Lord. His family was so blessed to have this lengthy journey to live, share, laugh and love. He was born on February the 5th, 1951 in Houston, Texas to Stanley Ike and Maggie Kubeczka Jankowski . He was the eldest of two sons. His younger "brother" is Danny Jankowski, Sr. Growing up in Houston, Texas, J.W. attended St. Rose of Lima Elementary, St. Pius Jr. High and Waltrip High School. In 1970, he married his wife Jennie Faith White Jankowski of 43 Years at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, in Houston. They were blessed with three birth daughters, and when they married, God added "three" sons followed by "Seven" grandchildren, which are truly little kisses from heaven. He proudly served in the United States Army with the 23rd Inf. Div. "Americal", the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He considered it a privilege to be a Vietnam veteran, and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1977. After returning home from his military duties he was employed by Bor-Tun-Co of America for nine years, where he signed on as a crew hand, and worked his way up to a rig foreman of his own crew. As his family started to grow, he joined Gulfco, Inc., an oil field service company, where he serviced rigs-then advancing to a sales and service manager''s position soon after. In 1986 the oil field boom brought him to Brenham and Washington County where he was to raise his family and call home for good. Fate stepped in, and when the oil industry crashed, he was hired by the Hussman Old Brazos as a dock foreman. This opportunity allowed him to support his family, and he made some priceless friendships. After a while the company closed and JW''S destiny, directed by God, changed. Feeling God''s favor, he announced aloud, "I''m not getting any younger, and I might run out of time to achieve my boyhood dream if I don''t pursue it now". In 1988 he attended the Texas A&M Criminal Justice Academy in Bryan to become a peace officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Education. Fresh out of the academy he volunteered for the Burton Police Department for the experience, and knowing him, he was all about helping and serving anyway. After all, it was hard to get a job with no experience. He really wanted to serve his county then, but it just wasn''t the right time, so it didn''t happen right away. He was prayerful, and God answered through Sheriff Randy Smith of Waller County, and hired J.W. as a jailer for his county. He was grateful for that opportunity from Sheriff Smith, as he had such respect for him, and because of his faith in J.W. he was one step closer to realizing his dream. Working for Waller he learned so much, while making some really special lifelong friends. J.W. always said, "God has a plan," being a man of humble heart and loving his family and his county. You see, God''s timing is always perfect, his plan had begun to unfold. The call came from Washington County Sheriff Billy Rosenbaum. He asked J.W. to come and work for his home county. J.W. always said he wanted to be a Texas peace officer and serve his home county. Well, it just couldn''t get any better than that. He was so happy to be serving his own county, and was grateful to Sheriff Rosenbaum for the opportunity. He started out as a jailer, and then was promoted to deputy, and then street deputy. J.W. was elected by the citizens of his beloved Washington County in 1992 and began his tenure in 1993, serving five terms totaling twenty years. During his time as Washington County Sheriff he was honored by The Sheriff''s Association of Texas when he was elected by his fellow Sheriffs to the position of Sergeant of Arms moving through 3rd, 2nd and 1st Vice- President, and then becoming the SAT President for 2011-2012, yet another honor he cherished. JW was a man truly blessed and grateful to God for allowing him to realize his boyhood dreams. He will forever be proud of being the Sheriff of Washington County, the birthplace of his beloved Texas. Be assured he took that love for God, Family, Washington County – the citizens and friends, with him to heaven. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9 J.W. was a member St. Mary''s Catholic Church. American Legion Buddy Wright Post 48, Lifetime member of the Sheriff''s Association of Texas, Washington County Peace Officers Association and the 100 Club. JW shared all that life had to offer with his wife. Cherishing every second spent together and thanking God for the gift of time. He enjoyed spending time with his family, which he loved completely and unconditionally, boys and girls alike, big and small. Lifting his daughters up in all that they did, recognizing the incredible women that they have grown up to be. He offered his "sons" advice on BBQ''S, football games, guns, quite talks, always in their corner. He enjoyed hunting with his brother, nephews, friends and his grandkids. He loved his dog Tazy, who was truly a man''s best friend to him, and Bear, his grand dog. J.W. was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Maggie Jankowski. All of his Grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles. Survivors include - his spouse Jennie of Brenham, Texas, his daughters & son-in-laws Vickie and "Chip" Wray of Round Rock, Texas - Amy and "Troy" Gardner of Brenham, Texas - Joni and "Mike" Beliz of Katy, Texas. Grandchildren - Morgan Faith, Emma Joy, Wyatt William, Elliot Daniel and Noah Levi Gardner, Emersyn Aubrey and Zane Brody Beliz. Loyal companion-friend and dog "Tazy" and one Grand dog – "Bear". Younger Brother Danny, Sr. and little sister Elaine Jankowski. Nephews and nieces Danny Jr. and Heather Jankowsksi and their son Weston Jankowski, Clifford and Audrea Jankowski, and Cody Jankowski and special friend Taylor Bockhorn. Sisters and Brother-in-laws, Sandra and Eugene Bowen W.Va., Judy "White" Ener , Julia White and Luke White, all from East Texas. Numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Special Aunt –dear to his Heart "Jean Jankowski and family". Numerous other aunts, uncles and cousins. Serving as Pallbearers – Danny Jankowski, Jr. - Clifford Jankowski – Cody Jankowski – Mike Herzog – Art Senteno –Erwin Sander – Steve Westbrook – Faye Janis Honorary Pallbearers: Washington County Sheriff''s Office- employees and family throughout his tenure as Washington County Sheriff and the present Washington County Sheriff''s Office. Sheriff''s Association of Texas Director, Staff and all of the 254 Sheriffs of Texas. Service will be held at St. Mary''s Catholic Church in Brenham, Texas at 10:00a.m., Wednesday, February 19th. Visitation will be held at Memorial Oaks Chapel Tuesday the 18th at 6:00-8:00p.m. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Burial will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham, Texas. The family requests that memorial donations be made to: Sheriffs Association of Texas, 1601 S. IH 35 Austin, Texas 78741-2503 ; Washington County Sheriff''s Office, 1206 Old Independence Brenham, Texas 77833, Hospice Brenham Branch 302 East Blue Bell Road Brenham, Texas 77833. The family wishes to share a reception after the burial at Prairie Lea cemetery at St. Mary''s Catholic Church in Brenham. Funeral arrangements for J. W. Jankowski are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.