Jerome Witte, Sr.

Jerome "Jerry" Wayne Witte, Sr., 67, was born in Galveston County, Texas to Robert Witte and Edna Koenig Witte on September 28, 1942 and passed away peacefully on October 25, 2009 with family members at his side. Jerry was baptized in 1942 in St. Mary''s Catholic Church in League City, Texas, and confirmed March 27, 1955 in the Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church. He attended Shrine of the True Cross Catholic School in Dickinson. He was an altar server at St. Mary''s Catholic Church in League City. Jerry was an excellent athlete, a true competitor and loved all sports. Jerry touched the lives of many young aspiring athletes with years of dedication to youth baseball in Pasadena, Tx. through coaching and umpiring. In his retirement years, there was not a more supportive booster for the sports teams of Burton and Brenham High School. He married his first love, Mary Simmons, while attending Clear Creek High School. They were married 49 years, 11 months, and were looking forward to the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary next month. Jerry and Mary are members of St. Mary''s Catholic Church in Brenham. He worked for Merichem Chemical Company for 42 years. Jerry and Mary were blessed with 2 children, 13 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and one on the way, and two step-grandchildren. Daughter Debra Hopewell resides in Oklahoma. Son Jerry Jr. resides in Houston. Grandchildren are Scott Hopewell and wife Ashlee of Katy, Tx.; Aaron Hopewell attending Texas A&M in College Station Tx.; Danny Hopewell of Oklahoma, Amber Hopewell of Kansas, David Hopewell, wife Heather and daughter Ora of Tennessee; Donnie Gray and wife Veronica, two sons and one daughter and two step-grandchildren of Dallas, Tx.; Monica Short, husband Josh and baby Natalie of Sherman, Tx.; Sandy Wilson, husband Kevin and son Kristopher and one on the way of Bonham, Tx.; Jerry Jr. and wife Sissy have five children: Caitlyn Witte, attending University of Colorado in Boulder, CO.; Parker Witte attending Stratford High School; Corbin Witte, attending Strake Jesuit College Preparatory; Hunter and Braden Witte attending John Paul II Catholic School. Jerry has two sisters – Juanita Sweet and husband Wesley of Dickinson, Tx., and Jo Ann Morris and husband Bill of League City, Tx.; Brothers are Joddie Witte and wife Ann of Georgetown, Tx.; Andy Witte and wife Renee of Friendswood, Tx.; and preceding him in death brother Buddy Witte and his wife, Herta. In addition, preceding him in death were his parents, two baby brothers and one baby sister. Jerry has numerous beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services for Jerome "Jerry" Wayne Witte, Sr. will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2009 at St. Mary''s Catholic Church of Brenham with Father David Ivey, officiant. Burial will take place in Carmine Cemetery. Visitation will take place Thursday evening from 5:30 until 7:00 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. A Rosary will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. Serving as pallbearers are Scott Hopewell, Aaron Hopewell, Danny Hopewell, David Hopewell, Donnie Gray, Parker Witte, Corbin Witte, Hunter Witte, and Braden Witte. The Girls Softball Team of Burton High School Class of 2004 will be honorary pallbearers. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To view the obituary online or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.