Otto Edward (Eddie) Behrends Jr., 83, of Canadian died Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, Oct. 2, at the First Methodist Church in Tulia. Burial will follow in Kress Cemetery under the direction of Lemons Funeral Home in Plainview.

Eddie was born Dec. 4, 1931, in Tulia to the late Otto Edward Behrends Sr. and Ema Claude (Beck) Behrends. His stepfather was Francis Jerome Armstrong. Eddie graduated from Tulia High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from McMurry College in Abilene. He became head basketball coach and assistant football coach at Pleasanton High School. He served honorably in the Korean War from 1954 to 1956. He married Ernestine Scott in Abilene on May 26, 1953, which was also his college graduation day. They had two children, Janet Lynn Smith and David Scott Brannom. After retiring from the pharmaceutical business that he had worked in for over 20 years, he worked for Wrangler and Bartlett Feedyards in Tulia. He married Melba Hensley on Feb. 23, 1991, in Tulia. She passed away on May 5, 1998. He become a stepfather to six and grandfather of many. Eddie moved to Canadian in April 2002 to live with his stepdaughter Mary Smithee and her husband Kevin. He was lucky enough to find a job with a driving service that transported railroad workers. He loved this job and the people he met while working there.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four stepbrothers; and a stepsister.

He is survived by a daughter, Janet Smith of Abilene; a son, David Brannom of Kerrville, his wife Carol and granddaughter Lauren; stepchildren, Mary Smithee and Kevin of Canadian, Sissy Tomblin and Kelly of Happy, Ronald Benson of Happy, Anna Woodard and Dave of Amarillo, Frank Hensley and Mary of Wichita, Kansas, and Lorri Turner and Michael of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Brandy, Stormie, LaTonya, Randy, Marcy, Amanda, Stephanie, Kelly (Baby Doll), Jesse, Mary, Melissa, Tina, Michael, Tiffany, Frank, Justin, Dusty, Kenny, Josh and Klorissa; and too many great-grandchildren to list. He is also survived by his devoted, loving companion of the past five years, Loma King.

The family suggests memorials to the Edward Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch, Canadian, TX 79014; or Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 South 4th St., Canadian, TX 79014.