Gary Frances SENKO

Stuttgart, Ark. -
Gary Franacis Senko, 64, of Brinkley, laid down his heavy burdens and stepped into the peace and comfort of Christ on Monday, Nov. 17 at Baptist Health Center in Little Rock. He spent his last hours surrounded by his loving family, dear friends and devoted hospital staff. Gary was born on Aug. 25, 1944 in Stuttgart at Bradley Sisters Hospital to Frances Garrich Senko and John Senko, Jr. He was a 1962 graduate of Subiaco Academy and the kicker for the Subiaco Trojan football team. In 1962, he received the Pereyra Award for unselfishness. He was a life-long supporter of the Academy and especially the football team. The letters that he wrote each week to the football team gave him a chance to stay connected to his beloved Trojans. Through the years he celebrated their victories and encouraged them when games were lost. The Lonesome Trojan was always there, even if just in spirit. Through out his life Gary loved teaching young people about Christ. He was certified through the Arkansas Catholic Diocese as a Catechist. Over the years he taught several different religion classes in Stuttgart and Conway, but all had the same goal of helping young people develop a deeper relationship with Christ. Christmas time was a very special time of year for him as one of Santa’s helpers. He loved seeing the surprise in children’s eyes when they pulled on his long white whiskers to find that his beard was real. He believed that everyone should see things through the wonder of children’s eyes. A retired rice and soybean farmer for 35 years, Gary loved to be outdoors hunting and fishing. The brilliant changing of the leaves brought his favorite season of the year. He loved the sounds and sights of the ducks and geese flying and the smell of the woods. Some of his most treasured memories were times spent hunting and fishing with his “son” Jimmy. He was a member of the Holy Rosary Knights of Columbus having served as Grand Knight and a member of the Stuttgart Jaycees. In his later years, he enjoyed living in Brinkley and was active in the Senior Citizens Center there. The Brinkley senior citizens have fond memories of his beautiful whistling, jolly laughter and great coffee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances Garrich Senko and John Senko, Jr., his devoted wife Linda McGhie Senko and grandparents Pauline and Mike Garrich and Mary “Ba Ba” and John Senko, Sr. He is survived by his cherished daughter Angela Kaya Senko Hynum and her husband Jimmy of Brinkley; two brothers Frederick Senko and his wife Marilyn of Henderson, Nevada, Michael Senko of Stuttgart; two sisters Sister Jo Ann Senko, OSB of St. Scholastic Monastery in Fort Smith, Shirley Rae Senko of Memphis; seven nieces and nephews, Michele Johnson, Mark Senko, Pamela Cross, Paula Wolowiec, Patricia Stallard, Fred Wilks Senko and Lydia Senko; and many close friends. Members of the Subiaco Trojan football team will serve as pallbearers. Emmett “Bud” Hynum, Jr. will serve as honorary pallbearer. Visitation and Rosary will be held at Turpin Funeral Home in Stuttgart on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The Rosary will be led by Monsignor John Albert Janesko. The Funeral Mass will be held at Subiaco Abbey and officiated by Abbot Jerome Kodell at 1 p.m. Saturday. Burial will follow at St. Benedict’s Cemetery in Subiaco by Turpin Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Gary Francis Senko “Lonesome Trojan” Scholarship at Subiaco Abbey, Subiaco, Arkansas.
Stuttgart Daily Leader, Stuttgart, Arkansas

Contributed on 5/10/10 by tootied
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