James Henry Jr.

Longtime Alaska resident and educator James Milton Henry Jr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 7, 2010.

A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Anchorage Baptist Temple, officiated by Dr. Jerry Prevo.

Jim was born Oct. 9, 1932, in St. Louis, Mo., to James and Kathleen Henry. His formal training was acquired at Carson Newman College in Tennessee, the University of Montana and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he was also a faculty member and trainer of many Alaska rural teachers.

The military brought Jim to Alaska by way of Korea in 1953, and he said so many times, "I have found the promised land!" Aside from his professional years in the state-operated school system and the Anchorage School District, Jim was an avid outdoorsman, pilot, yachtsman, writer and artist. He had hunted in Alaska, Africa, Australia, Texas and Wyoming, to name a few.

After Jim became homebound, he spent his time finishing his writings and paintings that he started as a young man. He amazed everyone who knew him with his accepting attitude, compassion and kindness as well as his strength, fortitude and determination. Those left who knew and loved Jim will miss his deep, quiet love, unswerving loyalty and vast knowledge of many things.

Jim is survived by his longtime companion, Peggy Hayes; son, Shaun Henry; (fiancee Turquoise) and her children, Christian and Trinity of Anchorage; brother, Larry (Shelda) Henry of Bondurant, Wyo.; sister, Carole Robinson of Nashville, Tenn.; and brother-in-law, Barry Brown of Gallatin, Tenn. Jim also leaves his extended family -- his beloved Destiny (8 years) and her mom, Kellie Fornes of Anchorage; Outen and Karen Kipp of Killeen, Texas.

Both his parents and his sister Patty (Barry) Brown preceded him in death.

Jim was cremated at Witzleben Funeral Home and his ashes will be scattered off the aft deck of the Destiny Lynn in Prince William Sound.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests friends consider donating to a charity of their choice.