Charles Peter Renkema

Services for Charles Peter Renkema, 79 of Henderson will be held 3:00 P.M. Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Rev. David Hampton officiating. Mr. Renkema passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at his residence surrounded by family. Family will recieve friends from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM, Thursday, June 13, 2024; one hour prior to service.

Charles was born to Peter Renkema and Lois DeYoung on February 4, 1945 in Winnie, Texas. Mr. Renkema lived in Hamshire, Texas and graduated from Hamshire High School in 1963, after high school he joined the United States Navy for 4 years. Charles resided in Kilgore for over 35 years and worked for Haliburton for 26 years where he retired in 2015. He was a loving and caring husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather who will be missed by all that knew him.

Charles, Dad or Pawpaw to most, even if you weren’t kin. He had a huge heart. Unlike most grumpy old men, he loved children and though he would never admit it, he loved most pets as well. He was one of those who would gripe about a new animal that his wife would bring home, and sure enough, it would become one of his beloved pets. Mr. Charles knew how to be a goof, he was a hard worker. He would even take the water hose that he was using to water his garden and turn to spray a few close kids just to make them scream. Charlie was an outdoors man who loved to hunt and fish. He would go on and on about his fishing and hunting trips in Nebraska. You could always find him fixing a fence or he was in his recliner watching westerns. Sometimes you could even find him watching disney channel if he couldn’t find the remote. One thing about him for sure, is that he made everything sweeter, including his sweet tea. All it took was him taking one sip out of his cup and all the grandkids would sneak behind his recliner and drink it empty, so fast that he would question if he had just refilled it or not. He would always say the reason he went into the Navy was because he was too dumb for college, but if you knew him you would know he was one of the smartest men around. Charlie was one of the most selfless men. He rarely told people no. He was always there when someone needed help, and he loved his family.

Charles is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dianne Renkema of Henderson; daughters, Patricia Smith and husband Jimmy of Vidor, Texas, Penny Jones and husband Eddie of Laird Hill, Jennifer Roe and husband Jason of Liberty City, Heidi Bushnell of Hamshire, Texas and Samantha Dean and husband Adam of Arvada, Colorado; sons, Chris Renkema and wife Shelly of Council Bluff, Iowa, Tim Renkema and wife Michele of Murray, Nebraska, Brian Renkema and wife Alma of New London, Connecticut, Michael Brown and wife Lori of Liberty City and Tommy Brown of Laird Hill; sister, Henrietta Fabriguze of Hamshire, Texas; brother, Fredrick Renkema of Hamshire; 33 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Wilma Rose Barnes, brother, Bernard “Buddy” Renkema, brothers-n-law, Roger Dale Green and Donny Barnes.