Wayne A. Klein

1946 - 2021

Retired Montgomery County Sheriff Deputy Wayne Klein passed away peacefully on February 9, 2021 at Tomball Regional Hospital. Prior to retiring from the Sheriff's Department after 35 years, Wayne served his country honorably during the Viet Nam War as a combat medic and will be afforded full military honors during his graveside service at Houston National Cemetery on March 29, 2021 at 10:15 a.m.

Wayne was born to Harold Klein (deceased) and Frances Klein (Hirsch) on December 9, 1946, with his sweet younger sister Carol (Klein) Clendennon soon to follow. Another brother, Lloyd "Bubba" Hirsch was added to the family as well. He is survived by his mother, sister and brother who will all miss him dearly along with his grandchildren Cheyenne, Cooper, Austin, and Morgan and nieces and nephews Jason, Shanna, Kylie and Lane.

After leaving military service as a young man, Wayne was involved with many endeavors in the retail industry while becoming a Reserve Deputy for Harris County Constable C.R. Davis. His reserve status fueled his passion for full time law enforcement work and he began working for Montgomery County Pct. 3 Constable Eddie Pierce in the early 1980's. A newly created precinct was created in Montgomery County due to its growth, and Wayne was appointed Constable to Precinct 5 by Governor Bill Clemens. Pct. 5 predominantly covered the Magnolia, Texas area. He lost his only election to now Retired Pct. 5 Constable David Hill, who remained in that position for over 40 years.

Those that loved our dad know that there were only two real seasons that mattered to him. The "getting ready for deer season" and the "unpacking from deer season". Somehow, despite hunting season, jeep trips, building deer blinds and feeding deer, our dad managed to raise three sons- Lance Ligon, Brett Ligon and Bart Klein. His last words to us were that he loved us and he was proud of us. What more could a son ask for. Wayne also had an entrepreneurial spirit that few knew about or remember. Him and our mom, Marilyn "Winkie" Klein bought the Depot Restaurant in Montgomery, Texas providing the famed "Double-Depot Burger" to many a passer-by for years before it became the restaurant now known as Phil's Road House.

During his years on patrol, and during his assignment as a detective, he had many wonderful co-workers who became life-long friends, most especially Traci Peterson, Lonni Onishi, Wayne Clark, Wayne Eason, and Robert Killbuck. His other life-long companions were his hunting buddies Dan Barnes and Richard Gillory. Prior to his retirement, it seemed that he enjoyed his assignment in the jail the most with the newest recruits to law enforcement, including Jennifer Horvath, Stephanie Hall and countless others he had an opportunity to share a laugh with. He considered Retired Sheriff Joe Corley to be the epitome of what a Texas Sheriff looked like and held great respect for him. He developed a warmth for his neighbor John whom he enjoyed discussing spiritual matters with and his brother-in-law Rick.

On the night of his passing, he was in good spirits and when given the opportunity to leave a few spiteful words for any unknown or unnamed enemies, he merely laughed and said everything was fine, he was just ready to go. His three sons, daughters-in-law Dana Ligon, Shannon Ligon and Khida Klein, along with surviving family members and numerous friends will miss his warmth, his hot toddies and Bloody Mary's, his sense of humor and most of all his year-round camouflage clothing choices.

In lieu of flowers he would prefer a donation to be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. If you can't find the time or money to donate to any of those worthy causes, he would at least insist on a donation to the Anheuser-Busch family in his memory.