James M. Henry

James Henry of Kent passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, just 8 weeks after the passing of his wife of 67 years Joann. He was 90 years old.

He was born March 3, 1933, the son of the late Alfred Henry, Evelyn Blackstone and stepson of Pauline Henry and Charles Blackstone.

He enlisted at the age of 17 and served on active duty as a member of the USMC reserve during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1952 then returning to graduate from Brewster High School in 1953. He received his BS in education from Kent State in 1959, as well as a masters of education in 1965 with further course work at Western Reserve University, University of Akron, Cleveland State University and Miami of Ohio. Mr. Henry had a 37 year career in education, 31 of them teaching earth science at Davey Jr. High in Kent. He was devoted to education and coached boys basketball for seven years and football for six years at Davey. In addition, he was the girls basketball coach for fourteen years at Kent Roosevelt. Following his retirement, he coached girls basketball for four more years at Aurora High School. Mr. Henry was passionate about instructing his students and his teams but ultimately his mission was to teach young minds to navigate life’s lessons with integrity and responsibility. He loved his job. He enjoyed his sailboat, photography and his motorcycle which he still rode into his 80s. He traveled across the country multiple times on his bike and he and his wife Joann loved taking to the road after retiring. He marveled at God’s creations and held a great reverence for the American Southwest.

He is survived by his four children, Michelle (Shelly) Morgan, Kevin Henry, John Eric Henry and Annette (Nettie) Henry; grandsons, Lee Morgan and his spouse Lauren and Christian Morgan; granddaughter, Rachel Truelsch, her spouse, Adam Truelsch and her two daughters, Lola and Zoe; siblings, Leta Helms, Sandra Wise and Charles Blackstone of Connellsville PA, Harold and Kathy Blackstone of Adamstown MD, Alfred Henry of Chandler AZ, Cecil Henry of Paulden AZ, and Kathy Henry Hail of Chandler AZ.

Services will be held at United Methodist Church at 1435 E Main St. on Saturday, June 10 at 10:30 AM with reception following at the church.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Hospice of the Western Reserve https://www.hospicewr.org/.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.