In Loving Memory of a Devoted Husband, Father, and PeePaw

On September 20, 2026, our family lost its cornerstone, its greatest champion, and its favorite "stubborn, grouchy old man." Born on April 5, 1954, to the late Edmund and Catherine Waneck, he was raised in a small country community deeply rooted in Catholic faith, hard work, and unconditional love for family—values that guided every single day of his life.

He was one of four children, a devoted brother who may have given his siblings endless grief but would have given them the shirt off his back in a heartbeat. There was nothing better than sitting on the back porch with a cold beer and a cigarette, gossiping like women, discussing life’s problems together, solving the world's issues, and sharing the deep bond of genuine sibling love.

On June 9, 1979, he married the absolute center of his universe, Starr Swearingen Waneck. She was his entire world, and there was nothing on Earth he wouldn’t do to make sure she was happy, cherished, and taken care of. Together, they built a life defined by loyalty, generosity, and devotion.

As a dad, he was a proud "girl-only dad"—a title he wore with immense pride. He gave his daughters, Misty and Jessica, everything they could ever need. Whether he was moving them more times than he cared to, crafting extremely heavy solid wood furniture with his own hands, or driving to endless stock shows around the state of Texas, he was always there. He made sure his girls never felt like they were without, and they never once had to question how fiercely they were loved.

His greatest joy in life came when he became "PeePaw." PeePaw’s whole world revolved around his five granddaughters—Brooke, Katy, Audrey, Harper, and Hunter—and his great-granddaughter, Tatum. He was their ultimate fan. He might not have understood all the rules of a dance competition, cheer routine, or sporting event, but he was always sitting front and center in the bleachers, cheering the loudest. His absolute favorite place to be was at the show barn, watching his girls walk into the arena with their livestock, doing what they loved best. And if any of his grandkids brought friends home more than once, PeePaw instantly adopted them as his own, granting them all the official "PeePaw perks."

His nieces, nephews, and extended family never had to guess if he was in their corner; he always was (though you better believe he was going to aggravate the hell out of you while helping you).He was a fiercely loyal and true friend—if you called him for a favor, he was there, making sure your burden was lighter even if it meant taking on extra strain himself.

Jimmy provided for his family by working part time on ranches around the area and full time for LCRA - Fayette Power Plant for 25+ years where he was affectionately known as “Redneck” - his co-workers, railroad men, and anyone who showed up to the coal yard or control center quickly became family and true friends, they competed together at many bar-b-que cookoffs, supported each other when needed and continued to resolve all the issues while pushing coal.

Whether you knew him as Husband, Daddy, PeePaw, Brother, Uncle, or Friend, he was the absolute best at every role he held. He was a man of simple pleasures, endless humor, and legendary character.

For those that knew him, you could count on certain things:

-His shed was always stocked with mini sodas and popsicles for the kids, the house always had candy, and his truck console never lacked a plastic baggy filled with Lemonheads and Root Beer Barrels.

-He loved to cook-whether it be firing up the bar b q pit to cook for an event or compete in a competition with friends, or making a big batch of sweet rice any time “his girls” would ask, or making his jalapeno bread to take to any gathering he and Starr were invited to.

-Alongside his beloved Starr, he crafted countless handmade gifts and donated them to fundraisers close to their heart, always stepping up to help a neighbor in need.

- He loved to complain, made more funny faces than anyone could count, loved working in his garden, and loved to aggravate the people he cared about most.

He leaves behind a legacy of fierce love, endless laughter, and a family who will miss his stubborn charm and unwavering presence every single day.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Catherine Waneck, his brothers Gene and Danny Waneck, and he is survived by his wife Starr Waneck, Daughters Misty Vasquez and Jessica & Chase Hodges, granddaughters Brooke, Katy & Audrey Vasquez and Harper and Hunter Hodges, Great-Granddaughter Tatum Vasquez, his sister Wanda Snow, sister-in-law Linda Waneck, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and extended family and friends.

May he rest in eternal peace, wrapped in the arms of the Lord, knowing he was loved beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a youth Livestock Show organization in Jimmy’s honor.

Pallbearers will be Mark Bartsch, Brad Bartsch, John Bartsch, Vincent Bartsch, Bradley Nutt, Jerry McGovern, Trace Namken, Jayson Laake

Honorary Pallbearers will be Howard Waneck, Rick Straton, Terry Mckenzie, and Rex Tiner

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at St. Mary Catholic Church in String Prairie, Texas. The Visitation will begin at 5:00pm and the Rosary will begin at 6:30pm.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30am on Friday, September 25, 2026 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Burial following at the church cemetery.