Gary Owen Henry

Gary Owen Henry, passed into eternity on July 22, 2024. Gary was born on January 4, 1939, to Ray and Freda Henry in rural Carmel, Indiana. His family moved to Colfax, IN in 1945 and then finally to Kirklin, IN in 1951 where they established the family farm.

Gary learned the value of hard work on the farm from his father, Ray, and developed a love of gardening from his mother, Freda, who also encouraged him in his academics. He graduated from Kirklin High School in 1957 and then earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, in 1961. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Business from Indiana University in 1970. He began his career in engineering at Allison Gas Turbine in Indianapolis following graduation and retired from there in 1984.

Gary married Theresa (Terry) Elizabeth Butcher on December 2, 1961. Upon arriving at their first home in Carmel they promptly purchased Butler basketball season tickets and together became avid basketball fans of the Bulldogs, Hoosiers and Pacers. They raised their sons, Curt, born 1963, and Chris, born 1966, in Kirklin where their family’s life revolved around the life of the church (Kirklin Christian Church, the Antioch Congregational Christan Church and Zionsville Fellowship), basketball at Clinton Central High School and Franklin College where the boys both played and life at their rural home at State Road 38 and Sugar Creek. Both he and Terry were blessed and loved by 6 grandchildren and enjoyed them together until Terry’s passing in 2012.

Gary was happiest and most fulfilled when he was either building, planting or mentoring. He built their family home in Kirklin in 1972, another home on the same parcel in 1995 and 8 other custom homes and multiple renovation projects as a general contractor in the Zionsville area almost up until the time of his passing. He had a great love for gardening and trees, developing flower gardens at his homes and at the churches he attended. Gary took great interest in mentoring young men over the course of his life and used his gift of encouragement and teaching to help them succeed in their own lives and careers.

After Terry’s death to breast cancer in 2012, Gary married Martha (Catt) in 2013 where they shared a love of gardening (both as Master Gardeners), life in the church and life with family and friends. Martha enriched Gary’s life in many ways sharing several common interests of gardening, travel, politics, and faith in Jesus. She cared for him with great devotion to his passing.

Gary is survived by wife Martha (Catt) Henry; his sons, Curt (Paula) Henry, Chris (Tana) Henry. Along with grandchildren David (Jessica) Henry, Emily (Justin) Cook, Hannah (Luke) Gard, Shelby (Seth) Dempsey, Riley (Jake) Okines, and Haley Henry. As well as 7 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Marvin, Lois Weaver, and Carol Reentz.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Ray Lavern Henry, mother, Freda Ethelyn (Peters) Henry; wife, Theresa Elizabeth (Butcher) Henry, brother, Leland.

A visitation will be held at Zionsville Fellowship Church on Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral services will be held at Zionsville Fellowship Church on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 10:30 AM with burial service to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Frankfort, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Gary, donations may be contributed to Neighborhood Fellowship Clinic, 3102 E Tenth St., Indianapolis IN 46201. Gary helped renovate the buildings that house this free clinic for the underserved of the community providing medical, dental, social and legal services led by the IU School of Medicine.

https://neighborhoodfellowshipchurch.com/donate/