Mar 26,1946 – Sept 8, 2026

Woody James Shank, Jr., 80, of Jacksonville, TX (formerly of Abilene, TX) passed away in Tyler, TX on 9/8/2026.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1946.  After high school he joined the Air Force, serving from 1965 – 1970.

He married Shirley L. Thompson in 1975, becoming a father to her 4 children.  They lived in Abilene, TX for 37 years before moving to Jacksonville, TX in 2021 to be closer to family. 

He retired in 2016, with The State of Texas Department of Criminal Justice, French M. Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas as a Correctional Officer.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley L. Shank, children, Brian Hefner, Belinda Perez and husband, Danny, Larry Hefner and wife, Bridget, sisters, Lyn Lamanna, Deborah Sanderson, Gina Monteith and husband, Wayne, 8 Grandchildren, 9 Great Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his mother, Angela G. Strempek and her husband, Ralph Strempek, father, Woody J. Shank, Sr and wife Zona, son, Craig Hefner.