Henry Paul Kalokowski Jr. (Hank)

Henry Paul Kalokowski Jr. (Hank), 71, of Amarillo, TX passed away January 1, 2020.  He had been in declining health for a number of years due to his exposure to Agent Orange.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020, at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Danny Logan, Chaplain of Interim Hospice Care, officiating.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Hank was born in Amarillo, TX to Henry P. Kalokowski and Geraldine May Kalokowski on January 28, 1948.  He was raised in Amarillo and attended St. Mary’s Academy and Price Catholic High School.  He dropped out of high school to join the Marine Corps; which is pretty-well unheard of today.

He served in Vietnam with the First Marine Air Wing in support of ground combat operations.  He was medevacced from Vietnam to the Naval Hospital at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands.

While recuperating in the Philippines, he met and married Marietta Daytutos.  He had to petition the U.S. government and was granted permission to bring Marietta’s children, Alma, Alicia, and Alberto back to the United States with them.  While the family was stationed in North Carolina, Hank and Marietta had a son, Henry.

He worked for a time in Wichita Falls for Northrup then returned to Amarillo to pursue a degree at West Texas State.  He served with Detachment Co. C 4th Tank Battalion, while working on his degree.  He later received an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant.

Hank received a BS from West Texas State.  As part of his degree program, he worked on several archeological digs around the Texas Panhandle.  After graduation, he worked for a time with the National Park Service at the Grand Canyon.

He returned to Amarillo and became a teacher with the Amarillo ISD.  He taught science at Horace Mann until his retirement in 2002.  His students knew him as “Mr. K.”

Hank had a special love for dogs and horses, and had many other interests including astronomy, history, photography, old movies, collecting firearms, and going to the shooting range.  He was a longtime fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.

He was preceded in death by Marietta, and a granddaughter, Lily Moore.

Survivors include two daughters, Alma Scelsi and husband Tony, and Alicia Moore and husband Stephen, both of Austin, TX; two sons, Alberto Alcaraz, of San Antonio, TX, and Henry and wife Laura, of Houston, TX; seven grandchildren, Jack and Chase Scelsi, Karly Newberry, Felicity Alcaraz, and Emma, David, and Sarah Kalokowski; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Jo Ellen Kalokowski.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the VA Volunteer Services, 6010 Amarillo Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106.

11 Replies to “Henry Paul Kalokowski Jr. (Hank)”

  1. Hank my friend ….the soul rises , the spirt remains, wishing you the best on your new journey…….I’ll look forward to our paths crossing again one day……until we meet again god speed my friend……thank you for a valued friendship

    I wont forget our time on that desert floor (tank training) they had been pushing us for two weeks we were going into our final day….we were drinking our hot black coffee (so good) trying to relax for just a bit before the day started and the officiers and upper staff were pushing us….move out lets go…we said NO we just want to drink our coffee and relax for a few minutes and to our amazement they said OK ! come along when your done …….Hank and I look at each other with total disbelief
    there we sat for a few minutes enjoying our coffee……a time Hank and I always treasured and laughed about looking back on our military days

    Semper fi ……my friend always faithful

  2. Mr. K,
    I remember when I sprained my right hand and you gave me a calligraphy pen set and taught me how to use my left hand! You showed me that no matter what obstacles came my way I could do anything I set my mind to! RIP!

  3. Hank was a good friend and one of my patients for many years. I have been trying to contact him and find him for the past year. He helped my oldest daughter meet Miss Amarillo about 15 years ago. I will miss him a lot

  4. My personal condolences to all of Hank’s family including the Honea family.

    I also want you to know that the Alumni Group for Price Memorial College, St. Mary’s Academy and Alamo Catholic High School have been notified of Hank’s passing.

    Prayers of peace and comfort for you.

  5. He was my favorite teacher in middle school. He took me to the air shows and had a big impact on me. He will be deeply missed. Rest in Peace.
    Semper Fi Devil Dog.

  6. Mr K was an amazing teacher but an even more amazing person. I don’t know if he knew how much I looked forward to his class but school was way better with him there!! I’ll never forget you!! ❤️ Prayers for you and your family!

  7. Mr. K was an amazing teacher and left such a great impression on his students. He is more than a name I’d never forget, but he was a teacher that so many of us were blessed to have. God bless.

  8. Mr K was a different breed! Made science almost interesting! Always told everyone he didn’t believe in extra terrestrials until he met me and my little brother! Fine educator, even if he was somewhat unconventional!

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