Jerry Don Spinks

Jerry Don Spinks was born in Haskell, TX, on November 09,1940, the son of the late William Richard and Lillian Vale (Henshaw) Spinks, and he was the baby of the family.

He died May 19, 2024, in Haskell, TX, after a few months’ illness.

He married Paula Marie Slovak on October 18, 1967, in Tuxedo, NY, while he was stationed in Franklin Lakes, NJ.

Jerry had deep roots in Haskell. His mother Lillian Henshaw came to Haskell County in 1903, at the age of three. The Henshaw Family came from Bell County, TX, and settled in what is known as the Rose Community. His father Richard Spinks also came at an early age to Haskell County. The Spinks Family came from Comanche County, TX.

Richard & Lillian Spinks lived in several states, such as Arizona, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Texas. Because of these moves, Jerry went to various schools, but was in high school in Haskell, when he decided (along with buddies) to join the army.

Jerry served in several places while in the military. He was at Fort Sill, in Lawton, OK, when his first son Stephen Richard, was born. He was in Neuerucke, Germany, when his second son Daniel Lee was born. Jerry was in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star, plus several other medals and commendations for bravery while in contact with the enemy. He made the army his career, and retired in 1980 to El Paso, TX, and then after his wife Paula died, he moved to Haskell, TX.

His parents retired to Arizona, where most of his Spinks family lived. He had one niece Neta Roberts, and a nephew Frankie Bridges living in Texas. When he retired, they all became close again. Over the years, Neta took Jerry to Arizona numerous times to keep in touch and visit family. His parents and siblings are all buried in Arizona. 

He is survived by sons, Steve Spinks and wife Katt of Haskell, and Danny Spinks of Iowa Park, TX. A few grandchildren including Laura Turner, of Houston, TX, which was a blessing because she was a granddaughter he had just come to know. A grandson, Laura’s brother Preston Turner, which he never met. Several nieces and nephews who were very close to, and very fond of Jerry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Elmer Spinks, Bill Spinks, and Clifford Spinks. His sisters, Juanita Spinks, Myrtis Walker, Wanda Sanders, and Dana Schwab. He was the last one of that generation.

A memorial service will be held later at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, in El Paso, TX.