James Edward Berendt

James E. Berendt joined our Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 26, 2014. Beloved son of Florence and the late Edward Berendt of Allen Park, Michigan. Preceded in death by mother-in-law Nadell P. Kinsey, father-in-law Orvil E, Kinsey, sister-in-laaw Patricia A. Morris, brother-in-law Don R. Kinsay, and great niece Maeson A. Morris. Survived by his wife Orvileda (Leda) Kinsey Holbrook-Berendt of Alvin, Texas, son James L. Holbrook and wife Diana of Pearland, Texas, grandchildren Cole Holbrook fiancé Shelby Grave, Amanda Holbrook, Miranda Lara, Stephanie Lara, and great granddaughter Audrie Holbrook all of Pearland, Texas. Sisters Ann Marie and husband Larry Pabin of Pinckney, Michigan, Emily and husband John Solosy of Wyandotte, Michigan, brothers Tom Berendt and wife Leslie of Allen Park, Michigan, Jerry Berendt and wife Pam of Clarkson, Michigan. Brother-in-laws Marvin Kinsey wife Laura of Orange, California, David Kinsey wife Sheri’ of Blair, Oklahoma. Also leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews of both Michigan and Texas.

After high school James was inducted into the US Army serving from January 24, 1968 until January 23, 1974. He served proudly in Vietnam and rose from rank of PVT-E1 to PFC-E4, where he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. His duties while serving in the US Army included dispensing oil and driving fuel trucks in the war zones of Vietnam. After being honorably discharged he headed to Houston, Texas here he began his career in the oil and gas industry as a heavy maintenance mechanic or CDL truck driver, delivering loads of steel or oil well rig equipment offshore drilling rigs and the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. His career record includes Brown and Root, Manitowoc, Lewis electric, McKee Construction, Marine Drilling, Pride Drilling, Amerigas Propane Company and Hill Sand.

Only after a short time living in Texas he proudly proclaimed himself a Texan. He loved America and the State of Texas, which was evident by the t-shirts and shorts he wore bearing American flag or the Texas flag. A huge sticker of the American Flag covered he entire hood of his pickup truck and other stickers the tailgate with various slogans referring to the pride he held for America and Texas. Showing pride of being a Vietnam Vet, he wore his baseball caps indicating he had served his country. He enjoyed being stopped and chatting with other Vietnam Vets or shaking hands with someone that thanked him for serving this country. He would get this big grin on his face as they walked away and stood a little taller. Jim enjoyed fishing and camping with his family and friends on Lake Limestone in Limestone County, Texas. His habit after a long day of fishing on the way back to camp was to jump off the boat into the clear cool waters of the lake.

Known to his family as Papa Jim, Uncle Jim, or Uncle No, to his friends as Big Jim or Jimbo. His interests extend to pitching horse shoes or washers with his friends at back yard barbeques.

He was a member of the American Legion, Pasadena Livestock show and Rodeo, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. As a member of the BBQ cook-off team “No Show Cookers” he helped win many trophies and recognitions in competition cook-offs. Because he held a Texas CDL license he was one of the 18 wheelers loaded with BBQ pits and cook-off equipment representing a combination of two teams joined together under the name of “Texas Most Wanted” from Houston, Texas to Las Vegas, Nevada to an Invitational World Champion Cook-off. Jim never shirked from responsibility and was always eager and ready to assist family and friends no matter what the circumstance or situation. Mostly a quiet person he enjoyed gathering with friends an occasionally would throw in a few jokes of his own ending with a loud laugh from all his friends.

He believed in God and on every road trip he and Leda took once they arrived at their destination, he would say, “Thank you God, Thank you Jesus for getting us here safe, amen.”

Friends are invited to his Memorial Service to share memories with Jim’s Family at Forest Park East Funeral Home on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 12:30pm.