Mr. James M. "Jim" Henry, 71, of Morris, Ill., passed away peacefully with his loving wife and family at his bedside Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, in Health Park Hospital in Ft. Myers, Fla.
Born on Oct. 17, 1941, in the home of parents Earl and Beulah Sparks Henry in Washington County, Mo., he married the love of his life, Mary J. Bolwin, on Oct. 20, 1962, in Potosi, Mo.
Jim spent 45 years managing various commercial cookie bakeries throughout the Midwest. The bakeries included Formel, Cookie Kingdom and Crescent Bakery. In 2004, he retired from Brownie Specialty Products in Gardner, lll.
He then joined his sons in the H & S Contracting Company in Morris and Oglesby, Ill.
Together with his wife, he spent winters in Florida, where Jim could be found fishing with his buddies in the Gulf of Mexico or on the links enjoying a good game of golf. He loved to visit and spend time with his many friends and family, especially his grandchildren.
He was a member of the American Legion Post in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla. He also enjoyed spending time at John Martin Steele Post # 6049 V.F.W. in Morris, where his wife, Mary, is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Surviving is his loving wife of over 50 years and best friend, Mary, and their four children, Michael and his wife, Janette, Henry of Columbia, Mo.; Kenneth Henry and his significant other, Christie George; Shannon Henry; and Kevin and his wife, Tracy, Henry, all of Oglesby, Ill.
Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, Jocelyn Justin) Irish, Kelsie Henry, David and Stacey Henry, Jake and Tori George, Sarah Henry, Joshua Jett, Samantha, Briza and Mercedes Henry, and Taylor and Tatum Duncan; two great-grandchildren, Alix and Jayden; three sSisters, Doris Gardner of California, Wilma (Brad) Wright, and Marie Gamble of Mineral Point, Mo.; four brothers, Velbert Henry of Paducah, Ky., Alvin Henry of Potosi, Mo., Raymond (Darlene) Henry of Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., And Edward (Donna) Henry of Mineral Point, Mo.; two sisters-In-law, Joanne Henry of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Claudine Henry Rasnic of Park Hills, Mo.; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Robert Henry; and five brothers, Junior, Cecil, Melvin, Freddie and the twin brother of Alvin, Alfred, who passed away at birth.
Friends may call on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 1 p.m. until the time of memorial services at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Steve Larson of the First Baptist Church officiating at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Ill.
Cremation rites were conducted by the Lee County Cremation Service in Ft. Myers, Fla.
Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts directed to Operation St. Nick or the donors choice.
Condolences can be extended online to Jim's family at www.ucdavisandsons.com.
U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home, Ltd., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For additional information, call (815) 942-0084.