Joseph T. Henricks

Burbank, Wash.

Joseph T. Henricks, age 88, passed away at home on Monday March 17, 2008 surrounded by the love of his children. Joe was born October 3, 1919 in The Dalles, Oregon to Henry and Matilda Henricks. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1938. Shortly after, he went to work for Pacific Bell Telephone as an apprentice lineman. As the draft for young men began before WWII, Joe joined the Navy, attended Radio school and was assigned to a sub chaser, spending 22 months in the South Pacific and New Guinea.

In 1944, Joe was assigned to a new destroyer, later promoted to Admiral's Flag Staff as first class radioman. He remained on destroyers the rest of the war, all in the South Pacific and taking part in the last big landing at Okinawa. Joe received several service related citations and was honorably discharged in 1945 after the war ended. After his discharge, Joe worked as a deputy sheriff in The Dalles, OR where he met and married his wife, Neva Lewis, a district attorney secretary. Joe also held a postal position until deciding to farm alfalfa and raise cattle in 1950 alongside his identical twin brother (John) for the next 50 years, retiring in 1978. Joe was an original member of the Burbank's Farmer's Association; member at St.Patrick's Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus; and a long time volunteer for St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank in Pasco.

Joe was well known and will be remembered for his compassionate, generous, loving, Catholic, faithcentered life with a very special devotion to Ste.Therese of The Little Flower. Joe truly lived his faith and was loved and admired by everyone whose life he shared and touched.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife Neva of 50 years, his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. Joe is survived by his loving wonderful identical twin brother John Henricks, eight (8) children, sons; Timothy and Joe, daughters; Kathy Bruce, Mary Ann Henricks, Kay Langevin, Jan Campbell, Cindy Henricks and Terri Henricks, 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Rosary will be recited Monday March 24th at 10 a.m. followed by a Memorial Mass at St.Patrick's Catholic Church, 1320 West Henry St., Pasco, WA. Private interment will follow at a later date. The Henricks family would like to publicly recognize and thank the following special medical professionals for their kindness and dedicated, exceptional medical care provided to Joe throughout many years: Dr. Stewart Freeman and staff; Dr. John Medica and staff; Dr. Surender Wadhwa and staff; Steve Allen, PA, and Richland Veteran Medical Clinic staff. Our gratitude also extends to Betty Johnson, RN, Nurse Manager and staff at Kadlec Medical Center's Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation department for their FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act) support which enabled us to care for dad at home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe Henricks name to St.Vincent DePaul's Food Bank, 1120 West Sylvester St., Pasco WA.