Ben Hanks, 44, of Nederland, died Thursday, January 1, 2015. He was born August 22, 1970, in Nederland, to Janell Dee Skinner and Johnny Wayne “Pete” Hanks.

Ben was a 1988 graduate of Nederland High School, held a BS in Criminal Justice from Lamar University, and was a graduate of the Lamar Regional Police Academy.  He worked for the Nederland Police Department for 20 years, and had risen to the rank of detective. Ben was a past president and member of the Nederland Police Officers Association. He enjoyed motorcycles, Nascar, football, working on cars, and being with his friends. Ben was very involved with Nederland ISD, was a liaison for the Garth House, and was a member of the Mid-County Noon Optimists.

He is survived by his wife, Angie Hanks of Beauxart Gardens; stepdaughters, Ashley Trojcak and Tayler Trojcak, both of Houston; parents, Janell and Pete Hanks of Nederland; brother, Scot Hanks and his wife, Wendy, of Little Cypress; sister, Lisa “Dubba” Landry and her husband, Jeff, of Cypress; grandmother, Leitha Hanks of Crowley, Louisiana; uncle, Daryl Skinner and his wife, Debbie, of Kirbyville; nieces and nephews, Taylor, Conner, and Parker Hanks; Joshua and Jacob Landry; special friends, Mark Hayes and Nicky Matt; and numerous other family members and friends.

Ben is preceded in death by his grandparents, Aaron Asa and Vashti Skinner; and grandfather, Ben Hanks.

He will be especially missed by his family at Nederland Police Department.

A gathering of Mr. Hanks' family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2015, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2700 Helena, Nederland, with his interment to follow at Gregory Cemetery, Colmesneil.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Garth House, 1895 McFaddin Beaumont, TX 77701.