More detail on this person: Henry, Arthur R. USA, CW4, Ret: Arthur Ronald Henry, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and decorated Army veteran, passed away on April 8, 2023 at the age of 81, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Art, as he was fondly known, was born on Christmas Day in 1941 to Arthur and Aline Henry. He spent his early years in Dallas, Texas where he attended South Oak Cliff HS (class of 1958) before enlisted in the U.S. Army. As a Private First Class, Art was stationed in Munich, Germany, where he met the love of his life, Johanna Herbert. A skilled helicopter pilot, Art flew Hueys during his two tours in Vietnam, and later Blackhawks and Chinooks (which was his favorite aircraft). Art's love of flying was matched only by his love for his family, who traveled with him during his 32 military moves over 28 years. Art's exceptional service in the Army earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross (with 2 oak leaf clusters) for his acts of heroism and valor, the Bronze Star (with "V" Device), the Air Medal (with "V" Device), and the Gallantry Cross (with Silver Star). Although he rarely spoke about his combat experience, Art saw the soldiers that he served and flew with as an extension of his family. On June 20, 1963, Art married Johanna, and together they built a beautiful life in the Army at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) after serving for 28 years. He later worked for local police departments and then the Home Depot for several years. "Seeing is believing." For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Art, it summarized in every way who he was. He was quiet and observant, taking in everything around him and always thinking before acting. He was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything he did. He was a friendly person who truly cared about those around him. Art was born to Arthur and Aline Henry on Christmas Day in 1941. As a child, he learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual - all traits that he would carry with him throughout his life. Art was raised with two sisters, Sandy and Gracie. Growing up, Art was one of those children who didn't need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. In his rare moments of free time, Art was content to entertain himself, but for much of his childhood and teenage years, he was dedicated to helping his grandmother run her fruit business. His fondest memories were of the hours he spent fishing with her. Working to support his family, Art learned to drive at age 13 and then made the decision to join the Army at age 17. Throughout his life, Art had a special penchant for learning and a great curiosity for discovering how the world worked. He always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. While generally quiet, learning best through observation, he showed great concentration and was competent at quickly completing any task. Art graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1958 before enlisting in the United States Army. Through military education opportunities, over time, Art earned the equivalent of an associate's degree. Art seemed to thrive on the routines offered up by the military. He initially served as a medical tech prior to being accepted to Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) with a follow-on to pilot training where he quickly began his primary occupation as a helicopter pilot. It was just before OCS, however, that Art was lucky enough to meet a beautiful nurse, Johanna Herbert at the time, while he was stationed in Germany. On June 20, 1963, their hands were joined in marriage, and Johanna became the definition of "home" to Art, as they traveled together around the world, beholden to the needs of the military. As the Vietnam war began, Art's skills were sorely needed, and he served two tours there primarily flying the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Hueys"). In 1973, Art was released from military service during a reduction in force ("RIF") and found himself returning to Dallas where he joined the Irving Police Department and served as an officer amongst their ranks. The following year, he and Johanna bought their first home in Irving, Texas. Art loved being a motorcycle cop, occasionally finding himself in perilous situations, including suffering a broken leg in the line of duty, but he couldn't turn down an offer to return to the Army when the call came in 1978. Art returned to the military as a warrant officer and learned to pilot the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. Throughout the next several years, Art flew with the 101st Airborne Ranger Division, and he deployed to Egypt during the Iran hostage crisis, providing critical evacuation support. Art and Johanna moved to Germany in 1981 as he joined the 205th Aviation Company "Geronimos" and flew CH-47 Chinooks all across Europe in classified, and unclassified, missions alike. In 1986, it was time to return to the United States, and Art and Johanna settled in Washington State for a long-awaited Fort Lewis tour. He continued to deploy, completing a tour in Korea, flying several-months-long missions to Honduras combating guerilla warfare, and even hauling and dropping water buckets to combat the catastrophic Yellowstone fires in 1988. One of his favorite memories was flying low-level helicopter sorties through the Columbia River Gorge. Another flying lesson he received was during a glider ride - he found that flying a glider was just a little bit different from flying a helicopter. When the pilot threw him for a (literal) loop, Art decided that he'd save the acrobatics for when he was in the pilot's seat. Though the military offered Art and Johanna an exciting (but sometimes stressful) life - which required frequent deployments for Art, they still found time to raise two children: a daughter, Carolyn, and a son, Arthur (Frank). Further down the road, Art and Johanna were also blessed with six grandchildren: Austin, Joshua, Krystal, Makayla, Hannah and Parker. Through his hard work and dedication over 28 years, and with unfailing support and love from Johanna, Art achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4). Art never set out to gain individual recognition, but the praise and accolades given him for his many and varied efforts throughout his life were well deserved. He was a highly decorated Army veteran, receiving several awards including a Distinguished Flying Cross (with 2 oak leaf clusters) for acts of heroism and valor, the Bronze Star (with "V" Device), the Air Medal (with "V" Device), and the Gallantry Cross (with Silver Star) - amongst many other decorations. In addition to his highly decorated military career, Art was additionally recognized for his outstanding service during his time at the Irving Police Department. After 28 years and 32 moves: Art's retirement from the Army finally arrived in November, 1992. In retirement, he found pleasure and purpose in working for the Fife and Lakewood Police departments (as a dispatcher and later: volunteer), then going on to lead the call center at Home Depot for several years. Even in retirement, Art continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. He felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him, including a weekly brunch with Little Church on the Prairie's Romeos group. An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, he regularly attended Presbyterian services at the Little Church on the Prairie, though his roots were anchored in the Baptist church. Art liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Art's choice of leisure time activities. One of his favorite pursuits was traveling the world - just a few of his favorite vacation activities included skiing in Germany, cross-country road trips, and cruising through Mexico (though Art and Johanna also cruised through Alaska, Panama, the Caribbean, and Mediterranean). He also enjoyed the quiet time and companionship of hunting with his son and friends over the years (many times, they'd find themselves swapping stories and watching movies while shivering in the below freezing weather). Art also was a PC hobbyist and he took pleasure in building his own computers. While thorough and measured in his approach to life, Art often liked to physically accomplish things rather than just think about them. He was an ace at racquetball (to his son's enduring vexation), relished the chance to go camping (anywhere from Elma to Italy), and always took the proffered opportunity to play a round of golf. Art enjoyed watching his favorite football teams whenever he had the chance: top on his list was supporting the Cowboys (both the team and the cheerleaders), however he saved a little room in his heart for the Seahawks - if they weren't playing the Cowboys. Those who were privileged to know him well learned that he was a reliable and committed friend. Art was reluctant to generalize about people, and he based his friendships on his personal experiences. Because of this, Art best trusted those he truly knew, and the friends that he made: Art kept for a lifetime. He came to know and become friends with Bill and Julie Livsey in the 1970s, and Jim and Anita McCue in the 1980s. He was also a close friend to Bill Uhlemeyer, and John and Kay Neeley. Throughout his life, and until their passing, he remained close to his Great-uncle Curly and Aunt Lou. Pets were also a big part of Art's life and he had several that shared their lives with him: a small black toy poodle named Gigi, a cream and black poodle-bichon named Schatzi, a grey toy poodle named Poppy, and a brown dachshund named Ginger. Art was as loyal to his pets as they were to him. Despite the many hardships he experienced through life, Art never lost his ability to smile and laugh - a good practical joke (or even being the target of one) never failed to make him grin. He held an enduring love for oldie TV programs, riding his blue Honda Goldwing, and giving rides on the speedboat he and Johanna owned. Art loved summer and its opportunities to barbeque with family and enjoy the outdoors, drink in hand, and country music (or some Olivia Newton John) in the background. Art passed away after fighting a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease on April 8, 2023 at Coralwood Adult Family Home in Lakewood, Washington, alongside his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Johanna; his daughter, Carolyn (Dave) Graff, and son, Arthur (Jean); his six grandchildren, Austin (Morgan) Graff, Krystal Henry (Anthony Callaham), Joshua (Megan) Graff, Makayla (Ryan) Wells, Hannah (Josh) Fugate, and Parker Graff; his two great-grandchildren, Tony and Chloe; and his sisters, Gracie Boykin and Sandy Henry. A celebration of his life will be held at Little Church on the Prairie. Art was laid to rest with full military honors, in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. It is said that some people can't see the forest for the trees. Art was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Though he had proud tendencies, Art was a trustworthy, pragmatic, and sweet person, the kind of man to whom everyone was drawn. He was a fantastic provider, a great hugger, and responsible in every way. His patriotism shone through his faith in the values the country was founded on, though his loyalty to his home state of Texas never waned. He is, and will always be, greatly loved and extremely missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation in Art's memory to either: - The Alzheimer's Association (225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or https://act.alz.org/donate, or - Providence Seattle Hospice Foundation (2811 S. 102nd Street, Suite 220, Tukwila, WA 98168 or https://foundation.providence.org/wa/hospiceseattl e/ways-to-give/ways-to-give/memorial-giving Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tacoma-crematio n for the Henry family. May Art's memory be a blessing to all who knew him, and may he rest in peace.
Burial information: Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA
This information was last updated 05/22/2023
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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