Gene Henry

Gene Henry, age 86, of Coosada Alabama passed away August 14, 2017. Funeral services will be held locally at Brookside Funeral Home, 3360 Brookside Drive, Millbrook AL at 7 PM on Thursday August 17, 2017 with Randy Nayler officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Burial will follow services being held at Elmwood Funeral Home in Abilene Texas on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 2 PM.

Gene was born in Big Spring, Texas on February 26, 1931 to Pauline (Brown) and Lee Roy Henry. Shortly after starting to school in Colorado City, Texas, the family began the constant moving associated with his father's career in the oil field. In addition to Colorado City, he attended grade schools in Irran, Monahans, Big Spring and Knott TX plus New Orleans (he loved to reminisce about this wonderful cultural shock) and two days in Gretna LA. Gene returned to Colorado City in the seventh grade and graduated high school in 1948. He started college at Tarleton State, transferring to Hardin-Simmons University in 1949 where his studies were interrupted by the Korean War. In 1951, he joined the Air Force and was assigned to Sandia Base NM and later to Travis AFB CA as special weapons fusing system specialist for the atomic bomb. After his discharge in 1955, Gene married Norma Lewis of Abilene and they had three sons. They moved to Lubbock where he held many different jobs while continuing his education at Texas Tech. When he began employment with General Dynamics as mechanical/electrical technician for the missile silo at Bradshaw, they returned to Abilene. Later he was promoted to engineering planner in Fort Worth. When their oldest son was ready for school, the family returned to Abilene and Gene became owner and operator of the Brookhollow Exxon Station on South Willis and South 27th. He operated the station for 14 years while being active with Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, leadership in the cub and boy scouts (all three boys' attained rank of Eagle Scout) and little league baseball. Gene was president of Southern Little League in 1977 and 1978. In addition to operating the station, Gene was owner of Henry and Sons Oilfield Construction Company and continued his education at McMurry University,receiving his BS in 1965. After the oil burst, Gene returned to Fort Worth and General Dynamics as senior schedule engineer for F-111 and F-16 fighter jets. In 1991, Gene retired and moved back to Abilene where he met and married Vi Pitts form Millbrook, Alabama. He worked for Dono Oil and Reeder Auto Supply and retired from fulltime employment in 1997 to become a caregiver for his mother. After her death, he worked part time for Hertz Rental Cars and Avis Rent a Car.

He is survived by his wife, Vi; children Greg Henry, Mike Henry, Gary Henry; step children Thom Pitts, Bert Pitts, Donna Chandler; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Vi Pitts Henry Scholarship fund at AUM, PO Box 244023, Montgomery, AL 36117. Brookside Funeral Home, Millbrook AL directing local services

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