Henry Cecil "Hank" Blanks, Jr. passed away suddenly on August 15, 2023. He was taken from us far too soon. His love, his laughter, and his care are already missed by so many, and it is impossible to summarize the full life he led. He was an amazing husband, Dad, Papa Hank to his grandchildren, and beloved friend to so many.

Hank grew up in Houston and southeast Texas. He loved sports, and he grew up playing baseball and football. A 1962 graduate of Galena Park High School, Hank graduated in 1966 from Trinity University, where he was an All-American baseball pitcher while majoring in mathematics. Hank's baseball coach encouraged him to cross-train by taking up golf, which became as much Hank's lifetime passion as his pastime. Hank's golf buddies will confirm that he never stopped working on his game. He also enjoyed competitive tennis.

Hank served his country as a Computer Programmer in the U. S. Army in Vietnam from 1969-1971. He was a proud Veteran and had reconnected with several of the Vietnamese citizens he worked with while on active duty. Throughout his life, he was an advocate for Veterans' care, helping unhoused Veterans, and securing homes for Vets' surviving families.

Hank married Louise McDaniel in 1969, and they were married for 48 years before she passed away in 2017. Hank and Louise lived in El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi, Salt Lake City, and Dallas. They loved to travel together, play bridge, play golf and tennis, and spend time with friends and family. Hank's early profession was with major software companies, but an entrepreneur at heart, he went on to build businesses in the software, mortgage, and executive recruiting fields. In 2017, Hank and Louise moved to Sun City Georgetown, TX, and Hank retired to the golf course.

Hank felt giving back to his community was important. He served as President of Richardson Rotary Club, Board member of the Baylor Richardson Medical Center, mentored aspiring young golfers in the First Tee program, coached youth basketball, volunteered with Louise in the youth program at their church, helped organize and launch the Dallas Ark House Ministry to house seriously ill patients and their families who traveled to Dallas for weeks of medical care, and was involved in numerous other civic activities.

Hank and Louise raised their daughters, Meredith and Jennifer, in Houston and Dallas. He adored being with his grandchildren, Sara, Ruby, and Asher, and his sons-in-law Steve and Scott. Papa Hank loved watching and listening to Sara play harp and perform in Color Guard; reading, dancing, and playing games with Ruby (except when she beat him!); and playing trains, trucks, ball, and of course putting, with Asher. The grandkids loved getting together to play games with Papa and groan at his exceptional puns. Hank was always close with Louise's brother, Dr. B.H. McDaniel, his wife Exa, and their daughters Camille, Leslie, and Amy. They will all miss their Dad, Uncle, and Papa Hank so much.

Hank met Peggy in Sun City, and they married in 2019. They loved traveling together, spending time with neighbors and with friends on the golf course and out to dinner, attending theater productions and concerts, playing cards and 42, C&W dancing, serving as Adopt-a-Hole golf course volunteers, and visiting wineries in the Texas Hill Country. Hank was delighted to become Papa Hank to Peggy's children and grandchildren, too, and they adored him in return. In addition to jumping right into the games and antics on the all-family trips to Colorado, Hank attended their high school and college track meets, pole vault meets, softball games, high school and college choir concerts, school plays, and bike races across the country for Ashley, Bailey, and Ellie. Hank cheered on Colorado grandchildren Mackenzie, Korben and Kamden from afar, watching live feeds of choir concerts and bike races and following every posting on Strava and social media.

Friendships were incredibly important to Hank, and he made new friends everywhere he went. His friends remember his laughter, his loyal support, his generous spirit, and his excellent golf game. He remained close with his circle of friends from Galena Park in Houston and Trinity University throughout his life. He leaves behind many cherished friendships made in their neighborhoods, their bridge clubs, and their churches in Richardson, Plano, and Georgetown. As well, he will be greatly missed by circles of golf friends in Richardson, San Antonio, Houston, and Sun City.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Sara and Henry, Sr., his wife of 48 years, Louise, and his younger brother, John.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Blanks, and his children, stepchildren, and their families: Meredith and Steve Paterson and their children Ruby (8) and Asher (2). Jennifer and Scott Seibel and their daughter Sara (16). Peggy's children Brandon and Mindy Frye and their daughters Ashley (23), Bailey (21), and Ellie (16); and Blake and Marty Frye and their children Mackenzie (22), Korben (20), and Kamden (18).

Hank was very certain of God's Perfect Plan for his life and that he would leave this earth and walk into the arms of his Savior. Hank and Peggy greeted each other every morning with this verse: "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"  Psalm 118:24

Though we cannot comprehend the suddenness, August 16th was the Lord's day, too.

One of Hank's favorite scriptures was Psalm 90:12-13a – "So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord!"  Teach us to realize the brevity of this earthly life ~

At Hank's request, his family will hold a private Celebration of Life in Georgetown, TX in late fall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of Hank's favorite charities:

Tunnels to Towers: T2T.org

First Tee Golf Program for Youth: firstteeaustin.org/donate

Or the charity of your choice.

Please share your favorite story about Hank in the guestbook below. His family would be so grateful to share those memories with you.