James Henry

James Thomas Henry, III, "Jim" to most, left for heaven on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 11:56 PM, after a lifetime battle with Cystic Fibrosis. He was a ten-year survivor of a double lung transplant at Duke Medical Center Hospital on May 1, 2015. He was a walking miracle who loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and lived to honor Him.
Jim was a 1998 graduate of Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia with a degree in Computer Programming. He was able to hold down a full-time programming job for ten years, working often from home or the hospital. He took medical retirement in 2008 due to increasing health problems.
In 2012 he began work up for his double lung transplant and in 2014 moved for 14 months to Durham NC for care before and after transplant. He was able to move back to his home in Stockbridge GA for 18 months before deciding that moving closer to Duke hospital would be best at which time he and his parents moved to Haw River, about 25 miles from Duke. He underwent dialysis three times a week since 2019 while dealing with a body that often didn't cooperate well and took much care. He was a fighter who fought the good fight and seldom complained. His doctors in Georgia that cared for his CF from birth until our referral to Duke were dear friends and the folks from all the hospitals he was in for many weeks at a time during his 52 years thought a lot of Jim and admired him and we appreciated them, especially naming Dr. Dan Caplan, now deceased in Atlanta who was his CF specialist for 21 years, Dr. Lawrence McKean in Atlanta GA who took up that responsibility and cared so well for Jim until he needed transplant. The Transplant folks here are almost too numerous to name but especially surgeon, Dr. Haney, his NC CF specialist and TX doc for 8 years, Dr. Amy Johnson and then Dr. Jamie Todd in recent years and all who cared deeply for him at Duke like Dr. Cameron Wolfe and last but not least, his coordinator, Jennifer Spivey. Folks just were in awe of Jim. He/we give God all the glory as it has been His strength that has upheld and led guided and directed steps during his life. God is faithful and He will see you through anything as you trust Him with your life and depend on Him moment by moment.
Jim was an avid reader across a broad range of genres. He was a writer who had published several short pieces over the years. He also wrote two unpublished novels. He studied Esperanto, a universal language, and was self-taught then went to San Francisco for a three-week course where he mastered the language. He was active in several Esperanto Society groups and enjoyed hosting events. He loved music and loved to sing. He had friends and acquaintances from around the world. His circle grew very small since Covid and increasing CF related issues, unable to get out much except to medical appointments but he stayed in touch via the computer and phone text and some phone calls. He loved his family and friends and was a wonderful son to his parents, Jim (deceased 2021) and Eugenia Milner Henry and sibling to Morgan of Athens, GA. He was born in Decatur GA, living in Atlanta, GA; Decatur, GA; Metairie, LA; Lilburn, GA, Durham NC and Swepsonville/Haw River NC and now abides in his heavenly home.
We already miss him but know it was time for his worn-out body to rest and his spiritual body to abide with the Lord and those who've gone on before and others will join him there in coming days and years. You may reach his family at 3514 Perrin Drive, Haw River NC 27258.
A graveside memorial service will be held for family and friends on July 20, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Stockbridge GA City Cemetery. More details available via eugeniamhenry@gmail.com or Eugenia Milner Henry on Facebook.
Piedmont Cremation Services of Graham, NC are handling his remains.
Obituary written by his mother, Eugenia Milner Henry, Monday, May 26, 2025