Carl Cruse Wilks, Jr. passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Husband to M. Lou Ritter Wilks, father to Jonathan A. Wilks and wife Sonia Ann, grandfather to Grace Elizabeth, Carl considered these his most important roles in life. The weekend prior to his passing, he was thrilled to watch how far Grace had come in swimming, to hear about Jonathan's happiness at work, and to eat the best steak of his life in the presence of his most prized earthly possession, his family. Though he did not wish for death, he did not fear death; he knew his final destination with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is greater than any imaginable by man. Though he did not die when he desired, he was unbelievably blessed to pass in the manner he desired—quickly in his sleep, at home, without pain or suffering.

Carl was born July 17, 1944, to Carl Sr. and Sarah Kathleen Greenhaw Wilks in Okmulgee, OK. Moving from Oklahoma through the Texas panhandle with his father's jobs in the oil patch, Carl considered Pasadena, TX, his hometown—graduating from Pasadena H.S. in 1962 as he would often say, on the swim team, tennis team, and as a French horn player. He obtained his marketing degree from Lamar University in Beaumont. After working with General Foods Corp. in Beaumont for several years, he returned to Houston in the early 1970s. He met Lou in the singles department at the old downtown First Baptist Church of Houston leading to their marriage of 42 years.

Changing careers at the age of 31, he entered the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to study pastoral care, counseling, and hospital chaplaincy. He found great satisfaction in his chaplaincy work in New Orleans, including Charity Hospital and the Methodist Psychiatric Pavilion. Exemplifying what Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 25:40, Carl's career spanned work at homeless missions, hospitals, Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Moving back to Houston in 1988, he continued to work in many different counseling and social services related ministries, including an extremely meaningful period of pastoral care at his home church, South Main Baptist Church in Houston. The opportunity to be closer to his family in Houston and provide better access to public education for Jonathan came with a cost of fewer job opportunities. It was during these difficult times of employment, he had even greater opportunities to be with Jonathan in Boy Scouts of America as an Assistant Scoutmaster, culminating in a backpacking high-adventure trip at Philmont Scout Ranch in Northeastern New Mexico. He continued to advance his photography and videography skills with Jonathan's adventures in bands, orchestras, and scouting. To say he was proud of his son is an understatement. Not only was he able to baptize Jonathan, he served as the minister marrying Jonathan and Sonia in 2006. His joy continued to grow even further with the birth of his granddaughter, Grace, in 2013—watching her dance, admiring her swimming, and participating in games of chase between the big-bad-wolf (Papaw), the kitty (Lou-Lou), and Grace.

Carl loved dogs—having Cocker Spaniels or Weimaraners for nearly 30 years. His favorite vacations were adventures to the mountains of our national park system—Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton National Park, the Canadian Rockies; the wonder and awe of mountains seemed to capture a small glimpse of the glory and grandeur of our Heavenly Father. Watching birds, be it on the road, in parks, or perhaps best of all in his own backyard was a truly treasured pastime of his.

Carl is survived by his wife Lou, son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Sonia, and granddaughter Grace. He is also survived by his brother Donald D. Wilks and wife Alice McCord Wilks; sister Judith D. Hirt and husband Frederick E. Hirt, D.D.S., with nieces Dianne K. Hirt, Carol E. Hirt and nephew Edgar J. Hirt, D.D.S., and wife Fariah S. Hossain, D.D.S.; brother-in-law Oran A. Ritter and wife Marianna A. Ritter with nephews-in-law David A. Ritter and wife Mary L. Ritter, John Paul Ritter and wife Karen J. Ritter. His family is deeply grateful for the many years of kindness and love shown by Sonia's family to Carl and Lou since their families merged—especially her mother Linda Sanchez, sister Erica Castillo, and brother Andrew Sanchez, J.D.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, thank God, support a mission, take care of your family, your kids, and your pets. Carl would probably say something similar but couldn't help himself from saying something like, "go vote, but open your mind, your eyes, and your ears before voting."

A memorial service will be held at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 S Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, in the Westmoreland Chapel on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Noon with a brief reception to follow.