Thomas (Tom) Donald Hensley, 91 years on earth, entered into eternal peace with the Lord on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. He was a long time resident of New Waverly. Tom was born on April 25, 1931, to Alberta Mary (Moore) Hensley and Elmer Trenton Hensley, Sr. in Harris County, Texas.

Tom proudly served our country by enlisting in the United States Navy in June, 1951. He served aboard the ship USS Carpenter. After serving four years of active duty, he received his honorable discharge in June, 1955.

He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Personnel Management from the University of Houston in May, 1960. He earned a Master's Degree from Sam Houston State University in August, 1971, majoring in Correctional Administration and minoring in Correctional Treatment. Tom worked for the Board of Pardons and Parole, serving as an Institutional Parole Officer (IPO) beginning in June 1962. In March 1967 he was promoted to an IPO-II; then Parole Analyst in June 1972; and then to a District Parole Officer (DPO) in December 1972; and he continued working in that position until he started with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in December 1991 as a DPO-I. He retired as a DPO-III in September 1993.

Tom met his sweetheart, Joan Marie Venarske, while in New Waverly. Tom and Joan were married on May 9, 1970. Together they lived a strong marriage founded in love for each other, and strengthened by their unwavering Catholic faith. They shared a wonderful marriage of 38 years until Joan's passing in 2008. Tom's faith in God, devotion to Joan, and dedication to his country will be a lasting inspiration to those who knew him.

Survivors include his sister, Theresa D. Folse; and sister-in-law, Frances Venarske. While Tom did not have children, he is survived by many nieces and nephews who are very proud to have known and loved their Uncle.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; by his beloved wife, Joan; by his brother, Elmer T. Hensley, Jr. and Elmer's wife, Pauline; by his sister, Mary Evelyn Gibbs and Mary Evelyn's husband, Bill Gibbs, Sr.; by his brother-in-law, Russell Folse, Sr.; and by his brother-in-law, Jerome Venarske.

A gathering of Mr. Hensley's family and friends will be from 5:00 p. m. to 7:00 p. m. with a Rosary prayed at 7:00 p. m. on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Heritage Oak Funeral Home, 1080 Interstate 45 South, Huntsville, Texas 77340. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a. m., on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Waverly, Texas. His interment will follow at Shepard Hill Cemetery in
New Waverly, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 101 Elmore Street, New Waverly,Texas 77358.