Theodore Jankowski

Theodore Anthony Jankowski, a Korean War veteran and an established member of the New Braunfels and San Antonio community, peacefully passed away on July 17, 2023, while in his family’s company. Jan, as he was familiarly called by many in the area, was born on March 22, 1936, in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania. In June 1954, he joined the Air Force and trained in Amarillo, TX as an Aviation Mechanic. Following this, he was assigned to Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX  where the U-2 Spy Plane training was just beginning. He actively served until December 1957 and then was granted an Honorable Discharge from service in June 1962 after his reserve commitment had been fulfilled. He was awarded the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals for his meritorious service.

He married Carol Jane Kusenberger on August 5, 1961, in San Antonio. Together, they had four children. He embarked on a career in telecommunications after his service in the Air Force. He was a man that touched peoples lives with his pleasant friendly demeanor and always making people laugh. His love for sports was unconditional, yet he cherished golf the most. In addition, he was a skilled beer fisherman at the Guadalupe River, where he would enjoy barbecuing for his family and partake in his favorite dessert; Big Red and vanilla ice cream. Years after losing his wife Carol to cancer in 2001, he found love again and eventually married Geraldine (Jerrie) Wiltgen. Meanwhile he had learned to play the fiddle and the harmonica, but is was the fiddle that became his passion. He also became fairly good at painting artwork in the latter stage of his long life.

Jan was preceded in death by his wives, Carol and Jerrie. He is survived by his children, Dean Jankowski, Jim (Dawn)Jankowski, Wade (Consuelo) Jankowski and Leslie Austin. He had six grandchildren Megan, Heather, Cheyenne, Hope, Dale, and Carol, two step-grandchildren Juan and Fatima, as well as six great-grandchildren. A private celebratory ceremony will be held by the family.