08/24/2026
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of one of our own, brother Jerry Hensley.
He was a valued member of our Chuck Wagon Gang family, and he will be deeply missed.
Chapel Service at Sunset Funeral Home at 10AM Thursday, August 27th Burial to follow at Sunset.
Jerry Lester Hensley June 7, 1940 - August 22, 2026
Jerry Lester Hensley was born June 7th 1940 in the home of his grandmother in Oklahoma City Oklahoma. He spent most of his childhood growing up in "oil field camps" with fond memories of living in Goldsmith Texas. He later attended Crockett Jr high and Odessa high school. In 1959 he in listed in the US Army and that was the beginning of a great career that took him to many different places in the world. In 1961 one of those places was a small town in Oregon where he met Sandy Hopkins, fell in love and they married 1 month later. They shared 48 years of adventures together.
During his time in the Army Jerry served 2 tours in Vietnam with the 11th armored cavalry black horse regiment. He was awarded both the silver and bronze stars for his act of bravery and heroism. He was also featured in the book Firebase Illingworth by Philip Keith which Documents the extraordinary sacrifice, and valor of the outnumbered U.S. soldiers who held the base against extreme odds. While serving in the army Jerry graduated from the university of Tampa in 1973 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree.
Jerry had a 20 year career with the Army retiring in 1977 in El Paso Tx with the rank of Major. After retirement he became a entrepreneur and had several very successful businesses. But West Texas always had a way to call him back. In 1984 he moved back to Odessa with a dream a patten and plan for what turned in to a multi-million dollar company.
Jerry was a member the Shriners, the Masons and The Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang, where he led and organized several feeds including a goodwill mission to our sister city in Odessa, Ukraine and a welcome-home barbecue feed for U.S. troops returning from Iraq.
In 2009 he lost his beloved wife and partner of 48 years, but was lucky enough to find love again when in 2015 he married his wife Cheryl White. Over the years they enjoyed traveling to many different countries. Listening to music and dancing at the American Legion.
Jerry is proceeded in Death by his parents Max Hensley and Mary Hensley, his step mother Phyllis Hensley His wife Sandy Hensley his son Randy Lee Hensley and son in law Michael Kelly
Survived by his wife Cheryl Hensley, brother Joe Hensley(Marla) daughters Lori Cunningham (Gary) and Nikki Kelly stepdaughter Stacey Brewer(Bailey) and stepson Jason McCullough. Grandchildren, Bryan Cunningham, Kimberly Lutz (Tad) Brent Cunningham (Gina) Garrett Cunningham (Yatsiri) Rachel Cunningham, Kelsie Friedman (Alec) Nicholas Kelly(Dixie) Quincy Kelly, Perry Hershey (Ryan) 4 step-grandsons and 8 great grandchildren
