MARK SCOTT HENRY

Mark Scott Henry, 65, died peacefully in Columbia, Md., on July 23, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born on Dec. 16, 1946, in Columbus, Ohio, to Richard Arthur and Dolores Scott Henry, Mark grew up in Prairie Village, Kan., completed his education at Kansas State University, and at the time of his death was a resident of Clemson, South Carolina, where he had been a professor of Applied Economics at Clemson University since 1978. His career as an economist began in 1967 in Botswana during his undergraduate years at Baker University, and continued on for 39 years. He was a professor emeritus at Clemson University and remained an active researcher until the time of his death. As a teacher, research scientist, father, and grandfather, he imparted his core values of integrity, humility, excellence in work, empathy, and a deep commitment to social justice by modeling them in his actions and in his work. He loved the possibilities that Applied Economics offered and his favorite research projects involved working to solve problems of rural poverty. Exacting but fair as a teacher and parent, he always set the highest standards for himself. His values are all reflected in his life's work, and in the rich legacy he has left to his sons and grandchildren. Admired and respected in his field, Mark left a broad body of work through his research and writing. Throughout his lengthy illness he displayed steadfast courage and strength, and faced each new challenge with grace, dignity, and no shortage of humor. An unpretentious and unassuming man, he never complained or indulged in self-pity, but rather displayed great compassion for other cancer patients whose situations appeared worse than his. A kind and gentle grandfather, he drew great strength from the deep love of his family. He was, put simply, a man who was "good to the world" and an inspiration to all who knew him. Mark was predeceased by his beloved father, Richard A. Henry, and a brother, Steven R. Henry. He is survived by his mother, Dolores S. Henry, his loving wife of 42 years, Joan Welden Henry, two sons, Matthew H. Henry (Rebecca), and Jeffrey W. Henry (Meredith), five grandchildren, Liam, James, Madeleine, Bryn, and Eve, a brother, Christopher W. Henry, sister, Julie Henry Parman, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service for Mark will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at the Country Club Christian Church Chapel, 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO, 64113. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes be made to: Mark S. Henry Memorial, Lowcountry Food Bank, 2864 Azalea Drive, Charleston, SC, 29405, in honor of his life's work.