Greg Henkel

1963 - 2022

The Houston community lost a magnificent human this August, 11 2022. Greg was a dynamo and an enchanting enigma. Born Gregory Paul Henkel from loving parents, Nadine and Cecil Henkel, in Pasadena, TX, January of 1963, Greg was born uniquely curious, creative, and comedic. At a very young age, he was never not reading. Any book he could get his hands on he would take with him to any nook into which he could scramble. His start at South Shaver Elementary would lead him to learning his first instrument, piano, which he absolutely...hated, despite his affinity for it. When he moved on to Queens Intermediate, his musical talent would take a formidable turn when he picked up the violin, took to it, and loved it. The following years of his youth at Pasadena High School were chock full of music, joy, typical teenage mayhem, Dungeons & Dragons, dinosaur newsletters, model tanks and war planes, zombie movies, and, best of all, summers and holidays with friends at the family beach house in Galveston.

Post-high school graduation, he split his college time between Tulane University in Louisiana and, what was then Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State), and, after a savory amount of time between the two, found himself with a Bachelor's degree in studio art in 1987.

Greg's musical prowess is not to be overlooked. His fiddle playing and singing were featured in many magnificent groups, including Passing Measures, which also launched him into opportunities with the Renaissance Faire. A band called, Godfrey's Rangers followed, and then came the iconic, beloved, and brilliantly funny Flying Fish Sailors. Concurrent to the Fish, Greg had a hand in both Sender's Return and the amusing Hoyt Clagwell & the Dukes of Hazzard.

Another major life turning point occurred for Greg during his time playing with The Flying Fish Sailors at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival where he met flirtatious fairy, Lily (human name, Debra). They coyly courted for the remainder of the faire's duration, before she split off to backpack through Ireland in early summer of 1988, inviting Greg to "come find her", and leaving him with a phone number of one of the places she might be staying. She eventually called that family and heard that Greg was waiting for her in Dublin! Their relationship blossomed and they made the decision to move in together upon their return to the US. After a brief stint in Houston, the pair moved to Austin in August of 1989, and, to their enthusiastic surprise, Debra bore a daughter, Jo, the following March, 1990.

Though Greg and Debra parted ways in 1996, he always held an enormously influential role in his daughter's life, alongside creating eye-catching art pieces and playing music. These later years would see him co-creating the theatrical metal band, Rocrament, playing with singer-songwriter, Glenna Bell, and forming The Co-Dependents.

The last great project with which he left us was inspired by the time he spent with fellow caretaker, Sheretha, taking care of his parents in their last days. Published under the book title 'He Walks With Me, He Talks With Me', Greg composed a delightful anthology of his artworks alongside conversations that were formerly held on Facebook, now commemorated in print, that he had with Jesus H. Christ.

He is still loved and will be sorely missed by all, including his surviving offspring, Jo (JoAnn) Henkel, his brother, sister, and brother-in-law Jim Henkel and Joyce & Robert Crivellari, nieces and nephews, Brylan, Brett, Cameron, and Brooke Crivellari, his partner, Hannah, and his two cats, Stampy and Ophelia (Fili). He is predeceased by his parents, Nadine and Cecil Henkel, and his brother Richard Henkel.

Whether he was a childhood companion in Pasadena, a joyful sibling, a fellow entertainer at the Renaissance Festival, a band mate, a best friend, a compassionate partner, the record store guru at Sig's Lagoon, the cheesemonger at Whole Foods, or the Dad who never ceased to make you laugh, Greg was sure to have changed your world for the better in some way or another.