Jennings Austin Gerdes

Jennings Gerdes Jennings Gerdes, 78, of Boling, passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2018 in a Matagorda County hospital following a lengthy illness. Jennings was born on December 12, 1939, in Lake Jackson, TX, to the late Loflin John and Millie Doerr Gerdes. Jennings was raised in Lake Jackson and graduated from Brazosport High School class of 1958 and attended WCJC. He later moved to the Dallas area and began working for Texas Instruments. He married Carolyn James on June 26, 1975and they settled in Wharton County. Jennings enjoyed boating, fishing and trap and skeet shooting, but mostly loved to work. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Cooper. Jennings is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carolyn Gerdes of Boling, daughters, Penny Holthaus and husband, Ryan of Harveyville, KS, Tanya Sanchez and husband, Bobby of New Gulf, and son, James Gerdes of Harveyville, KS, brother, Roger O'Brien Gerdes of Killeen, grandchildren, Dustin, Austin, Rachael, Dalton, Koby, Klay, Kiley, Kyle, Jim and Darla and great grandson, Kye and numerous family and friends. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at the chapel of Wharton Funeral Home from 5 till 7pm with a prayer service led by his grandson, Dustin at 6pm. Cremation will follow the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society, 4401 Lilac Lane, Victoria, TX 77901 Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.