Charles Edward (Jack) Kretsinger died at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center on December 7, 2008. Jack was born in Denison, Texas on June 4, 1915. His parents were Jenny Eveline (Mamie) and Douglass Churchill Kretsinger. He lived in Grayson County for most of his life. He was educated at Oak Grove and Denison schools. When he was 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps where he helped build roads and parks; he returned home to help build Loy Lake.

On June 27, 1936, he married Margaret Virginia Brown, the daughter of A.C. and Frances Brown of Denison. They were married for over 60 years before she died on March 10, 2002. Virginia and Jack raised five daughters and helped with the raising of eight grandchildren.

He worked at Perrin Air Force Base for many years, becoming Superintendent of Roads and Grounds. He continued to work at Grayson Airport when Perrin Field closed. After retiring, he served as County Commissioner for Precinct three for 12 years. For many years he served his country as a member of the Texas Nation Guard.

In addition to working full time, he farmed and raised cattle, in partnership first with his father-in-law, A.C. Brown, and then his brother-in-law, Paul Brown.

Jack and Virginia were always active in the Baptist churches they attended. He served as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Pottsboro and then after they moved to Sherman, as a deacon of Fairview Baptist Church. When he and Virginia moved to the Katy House in Denison, he joined Parkside Baptist Church.

In addition to his other activities, Jack served as a Boy Scout Leader and on the school board at Pottsboro. He was a member of the Kiwanis and served as President,and he also served on the Texoma Regional Planning Commission.

He is survived by his five daughters, Lou Ann Booker of Sherman, Nelda Cooper and husband Steve and Marilyn Kretsinger of Denison, Margaret Reynolds of Sherman, and Karen Samuel and husband Colonel David of Boulder, Colorado, sister, Sara Williams of Midlothian Texas, grandchildren, Keri Bedard and husband Paul of College Station, Texas, Jerry Booker and Jon Booker and wife Kristina of Sherman, Nora Bynum and husband Drue of Denison, Meg Graham and husband Bryan of Sherman, Michael Reynolds and wife Shanna of Denison and Colonel Jeff Samuel and wife Susan of New Orleans. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Judge Paul Brown and wife Frances, sisters-in-law, Louise McDonald, Robbie Hoff, and Barbara Brown Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.



His wife, his parents, his brothers D. C. Kretsinger, William Kretsinger, and Frank Kretsinger, sisters Margie Shankles, Mary Fogleman, and Irene Shatto, grandson, Mark Hunter Samuel, great-grandson Haydn Graham, and 2 sons-in law, Jerry Booker and Gary Reynolds preceded him in death.

Pallbearers will be Michael Reynolds, Jerry Booker, Jon Booker, Colonel Jeff Samuel, Bryan Graham, Paul Bedard and Judge Drue Bynum. Honorary pallbearers will be Judge Paul Brown, Colonel James M. Shankles, Daniel Campbell, Steve Cooper and Colonel David Samuel.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 9th at the Waldo Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Chet Haney officiating.

The online register may be signed at www.waldofuneralhome.com