Monsignor Jack Michael Dinkins

Monsignor Jack Michael Dinkins, 87, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Harbor Hospice House in Houston. He was born on February 1, 1937, in Beaumont, to Hilda Marie Kohler Dinkins and Albert Harold Dinkins.

Father Jack attended St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School and graduated in 1955. He then attended St. Mary’s Seminary and was ordained as a priest on May 25, 1963, by Bishop Adolph Marx of Corpus Christi. He served as Parochial Vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Houston and Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque.  Father Jack also served as Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the Formation Director of New Students at St. Mary’s Seminary, the Admissions Director for the Diaconate, the Director of Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and taught in the Theology Department at St. Agnes Academy. He was President of the Ministerial Alliance of Katy-West Houston and received the title of Prelate of Honor – Monsignor from Pope John Paul II.

Father Jack pastored at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Pasadena, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Houston, and Epiphany of the Lord in Katy.  Throughout his career, he served on numerous planning committees, gave presentations at many conferences and was the keynote speaker for multiple conferences in Beaumont, Galveston, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.  He attended the Scripture Seminars of the Texas Catholic Conference every year and attended the national conventions of both Vocation Directors and Permanent Diaconate Directors for a number of years.  Father Jack also conducted a weekly radio program on Theology for three years and conducted numerous Adult Formation Series as pastor in parish.

After retiring in 2013, Father Jack moved back to his hometown, Beaumont, and continued to help at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Pius X Catholic Church, and St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, all in Beaumont; St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City; and Knights of Columbus in Beaumont.

Father Jack was raised in the house his grandfather built, and he returned to that home to live after his retirement.  He would rather cook his own meals than go out to eat and his favorite foods included fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, and seafood. He loved music and his hobbies included yard and garden work and climbing to high places in Colorado, his favorite vacation spot. Father Jack’s calling as a priest and his love of hiking go hand-in-hand, in his own words, “You never hike by yourself.”

Survivors include his brother, Charles A. Dinkins; nieces, Cindy A. Partin, Julie Dinkins, and Jennifer Hammer; nephew, Jerry Dinkins, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Joan Dinkins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Hilda Dinkins, brother, Jerry T. Dinkins, sister-in-law, Alice M. Dinkins, and nephew, Charles A. Dinkins II.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, 2780 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77703; Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77705; Knights of Columbus, 9505 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77707 or a charity of one’s choice.

The Reception of Reverend Monsignor Jack M. Dinkins’ body will be 4:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Rosary, and a gathering of family and friends until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 21, 2024, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2024, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, with his interment to follow Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.