VALGENE “GENE” BENKER

Valgene “Gene” Benker went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 1, 2021.

A funeral service was held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Friedens United Church of Christ of Washington with Reverend Glen Schoeneberg officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery.

Gene was born on July 5, 1944 to Fritz and Clara Benker in Brenham, Washington County, Texas.

Gene graduated from Brenham High School in 1962. He then studied at Blinn Junior College for two years and graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1966 with a Bachelors in Business.

Gene joined the Army in 1966 as a First Lieutenant and served in the Vietnam War. He was awarded numerous medals including a Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat and a Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. Gene held many positions and was an Adjutant and Company Commander when he was honorably discharged in 1969.

Gene built and co-owned Diamond Fiberglass Fabricators in Victoria, Texas. He retired in 2004 and took up woodworking as a hobby. Gene also enjoyed fishing, watching NASCAR, and the Dallas Cowboys. Most importantly, he spent lots of quality time with his family.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Clara Benker.

He is survived by wife, Janice; son, Chad Sanford, daughter-in-law, Tiffany, and grandsons, Sage and Skyler; daughter, Christin Gonzales, and grandchildren, Aidan, Gavin, and Brooklyn; siblings, Lanell Langford and Larry Benker; sister-in-law, Rose Benker; nephews, Michael Langford, Chad Benker, and David Benker; and numerous family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or any Veteran’s organization and/or Friedens United Church of Christ.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel of Brenham.

To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.