Jerald Hulon Beene was a loving father, grandfather and husband, a man of deep Christian faith who valued hard work, loved his country music, and was a steady calming influence for countless people during his long and wonderful life. He passed away at home on May 3, 2024 at the age of 87.

He was born on July 28, 1936 in Keith, TX, the eldest son of Charlie Beene and Ida Rice. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepdad Jim Hicks, his sister Ivy, brother Charles and brother Lyndel.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Judith, sons John and Charles (and wife Joi), grandchildren Max and Vivian, and brothers Mitchell (and wife Elaine) and Ken (and wife Linda).

People looked to Jerald for guidance wherever he went - at work, at church and in the community. With his calm demeanor and strong work ethic, he was a natural born leader. His strong Christian faith defined him as a man. He was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, sound man, budget leader and all-purpose administrator for numerous Southern Baptist churches for more than 50 years.

Jerald served four years in the Air Force before attending Sam Houston State College and earning a physics degree. He went on to a long and successful career with Shell Oil, which brought him to many places across the US and Europe. His work relocated him and his family to Colorado and Louisiana for some years but he lived most of his life in East Texas near his extended family.

Jerald loved spending time with his grandchildren, who called him PawPaw. They made many memories together exploring the mountains and islands and beaches of the Pacific Northwest. He had many jokes and stories to tell, from growing up poor picking cotton with his family, cutting grain in the Dakotas and Canada with his brothers, to his days in the Air Force in Michigan and Greenland with his buddies, to seeing his all-time favorite Willie Nelson perform before he was famous. He loved country music, especially Willie, Ray Price, Merle Haggard and George Jones.

He loved working with his hands, whether it was building a house, fixing a car or working in a garden. He had a self taught aptitude, do-it-yourself attitude and loved tinkering with things in his shop. He worked hard to put both of his sons through college, and his shining example of integrity and personal responsibility prepared his boys for adulthood.

He was a loyal friend, an attentive listener, kind, respectful and supportive. He was dearly loved by so many and will be fondly remembered by so many people whose lives he touched. The Family would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to St. Joseph Hospice and ALL of the caregivers for the love and care they showed Jerald.

Visitation will be on Tues., May 7 at 5-7pm at Heritage Oak Funeral Home in Huntsville, TX. Private graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Keith, TX, followed by a memorial service at First Baptist Church in Huntsville at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church in Jerald's memory.