Howard W Henry
Henry: Howard W. Henry was born in Dodge City, Kansas on January 5, 1927. He was a successful
Business person, philanthropist and creative intellect. He passed away at home peacefully in his sleep on the morning of July 2, 2022
A child of the great depression, Howard developed a rigorous work ethic from working on the Railroad docks in Dodge City, his service in the US Navy as well as an entrepreneur and his countless hours volunteering for local organizations.
Upon graduating high school in 1944, Howard enlisted in the US Navy was trained as a signalman and subsequently assigned to a marine detachment to function as a beach signalman for the gloomy prospect of an invasion of the Japanese mainland. By the time he had shipped out, Japan had surrendered, and he stood nearly a year of temporary duty in Shanghai, China. During that time, he entered a lifelong friendship with a local family who took him in and kept him safe through a cold Chinese winter. In the late 1970’s he was reunited with his friend through a miraculous turn of events that culminated in his arrival in Albuquerque. Howard would later visit his “family,” in China in 1983.
After the war, Howard attended a business college where he learned stenography, which launched a four-decade career and brought him to New Mexico in the early 1950’s. Living in Deming, he was at a party in Albuquerque when a mutual friend introduced him to Zona G. Ehret, a journalist and realtor. They married soon thereafter in a ceremony that entailed waking the Justice of the Peace of Santa Fe, late one night, exchanging vows and an all-night drive to Deming so that he could make it to work the next morning. Howard and Zona were married for 54 years until she passed in 2009.
They moved to Albuquerque so that Howard could attend the UNM, graduating in 1960. After college, he officially established The Howard W. Henry & Company, a general court reporting service that would grow and thrive well into the 1980’s. In addition to the deposition service, he reported for a federal judge and for a number of investigations of infamous events.
Well known for his charitable nature, Howard served on the boards of the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera (Musical Theater Southwest), and the Albuquerque Aquarium Foundation (BioPark). But more typically, Howard enjoyed doing – he volunteered thousands of hours to the Albuquerque Library and BioPark, doing all that was ever asked of him with great aplomb. His latest vocation was to sort, count and roll all of the coins tossed into the various fountains and ponds at the BioPark – it is estimated that he has rolled well in excess of $100,000 in coins. In addition to his volunteer work, Howard was a genuine patron of the arts and came to the assistance of several local theaters and guilds. He and Zona have ensured that this support will continue for years to come.
As avid art lovers, Howard and Zona supported local artists with collecting and direct backing. He also was a very talented artist himself. He loved to sing and was a member of several choirs. In the 1970’s he created amazing turquoise and silver jewelry and moved on to hand weaving rugs that were genuine objects of art. He was also active with the Albuquerque Genealogy Society and authored sever books on the subject as well as local census tract information.
Howard is survived by his daughter Sharon Henry, her wife Karen Austin and their children Ryan, Katie and Caroline in San Diego, California, his son Daniel in Portland, Oregon and scores of nieces and nephews scattered throughout the country. Our extended family includes a 20+ year relationship with the Armijo’s – Allan, Adrianna and their children Alana and Alonzo, who loved and cared for him in a way that allowed him to live at home through his final days.
Howard will be remembered at a family reunion in Kansas in early August, a local gathering will be planned later. Anyone who wishes to be contacted regarding the Albuquerque event can inquire at [email protected] If you wish to honor Howard please consider a donation to a local civic organization – either monetarily, or better yet, with your time.
Published by on Jul. 10, 2022.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315ATo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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