James Jankowiak

James Lee “Jim” Jankowiak passed away peacefully at home on March 13, 2021 due to heart failure.

Jim was born on October 12, 1948 in Houston, Texas to Tony and Helen Jankowiak. He was raised in The Heights along with his brothers Leonard, David, and Donnie, and his sister Florence. He married his bride Diana Drews on May 10, 1969. They were blessed to be married for 52 years, and had two children.

After serving 6 years in the Texas National Guard, Army Airborne, he attended the University of Houston. He went on to work as a civil engineer, traveling extensively until retiring in 2015.

Jim is survived by his wife of 52 wonderful years Diana; his children Summer and RJ Hegedus and Ashley and Chris Buentello; grandchildren Olivia, Mikey, Oscar, and Millie; his sister Florence “Tootie” Kowalski, sisters-in-law Shirley Jankowiak, Bette Hurta, and Diane Drews, brother-in-law Jerry Drews; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Tony and Helen, and brothers “Butler”, “Butch”, and Donnie.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 27th, 11:00 am at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Burton, Texas. To protect our loved ones in attendance, masks will be required, and social distancing as possible. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ in Burton, Texas.