Jerry Dinkins, Sr., 72, of Spring, died Friday, September 25, 2015, at his residence. He was born on September 22, 1943, in Beaumont, the third son of Hilda and Jack Dinkins.

Jerry’s father was a grocer and his mother a homemaker.He would tell his children stories about going to work with his father and finding spiders in the bananas stalks that were shipped in from exotic locales.Jerry grew up on Avenue D, in a modest home next to an empty lot where he and his brothers would build massive cities out of wooden boxes from Stedman Fruit Company and play for hours. He would joke with his kids that he had to walk up hill both ways to school in 10 feet of snow (in Beaumont), with only a yam in his pocket for lunch.

In his teenage years Jerry lived for his car, a ‘56 Chevy Bellaire.He worked on the car with his father to put in the hemi engine and truck transmission.He would drive the car to the beach and pull out the spark plugs and soak them in a coffee can full of gasoline, to keep his treasure running as efficient as possible.Jerry met his future wife, Joan Marie Leicht at St. Anthony’s High School where he was the rebel, always receiving the ire of the nuns.

Jerry and Joan were married and moved to Houston and had three children, Julie, Jerry Jr., and Jennifer.With his family, He loved going on trips in the big blue van, including camping trips to Inks Lake and New Braunfels.Summers were spent going to Crystal Beach for wade fishing and crabbing near the Bolivar Lighthouse.More fun times included trips to the Houston Rodeo, the Houston Air Show, Texas Renaissance Festival, and many Astros and Oilers games at the Astrodome.

Other than spending time with his family, Jerry’s hobbies included photography, woodworking and gardening.For years he grew jalapenos, bell peppers and strawberries, and built a greenhouse to house his collection of orchids.In his later years he grew found of collecting antique tools and various treasures.Jerry also had a deep fondness for dogs – Fritz, a Miniature Schnauzer; his Great Danes, Hans, Gus and Hemingway; and later his Boston Terriers. Every Sunday you could find him in the backyard cooking steak – his steaks were like no other, sirloin steak cooked on an aluminum grill smothered in butter.

Jerry had an incredible work ethic – leaving the house at 4:00 a.m. every morning to work in downtown Houston from his home in Spring, Texas. He studied civil engineering at the University of Houston, and worked in the Special Projects Department with the City of Houston Public Works for nearly 40 years. During his tenure with the City, many of his significant projects included the Houston Dam, the Houston Zoo, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

He even flew on the first plane ever to land at Intercontinental Airport.Jerry retired as the Deputy Director of Houston Public Works.

After retiring with the City, he went on to work with Harris County Houston Sports Authority, contributing to major projects including the Houston Astros Ball Park, the Texans Football Stadium and the Houston Rockets Basketball Arena.Jerry’s legacy is memorialized with a plaque in Minute Maid Park.

“Dad you will remain in our hearts forever” - Jennifer and Jerry Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Leicht Dinkins, of Spring; daughters, Julie Borkowski and her husband, Steve, of Lawrence, Kansas and Jennifer Hamer and her husband, Rob, of The Woodlands; son, Jerry Dinkins, Jr., of Houston; brothers, Monsignor Jack Dinkins and Charles Dinkins, both of Beaumont; and grandchildren, Nolan Borkowski, Phoebe Borkowski, Emily Hamer, James Hamer, and Elizabeth Hamer.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents.

A gathering of Mr. Dinkins’ family and friends will begin at 9:30 a.m., with his funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 29, 2015, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, 101 Block Street, Port Neches.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 50 Briar Hollow Lane, Houston, Texas 77027 or Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707.