Former senator was longest-serving lawmaker

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Sen. Douglas Henry, a larger-than-life former state lawmaker with the longest tenure in the history of the Tennessee General Assembly, has died. He was 90.

His daughter, Kathryn Henry-Choisser, said Henry died peacefully about 11:50 p.m. Sunday in his West Meade home.

“He set a very fine example of how to interact with the world in a compassionate, and empathetic, and curious way,” Henry-Choisser said.

Henry was an attorney from a wealthy Nashville family who was famous for his Southern manners, seersucker suits and a cigar chomped between his teeth.

Henry, a Democrat, presided over the Senate Finance Committee for three decades until Republicans took over the upper chamber in 2007. But he was so respected by the majority party that they named him “chairman emeritus” and continued to give great deference to his views on financial matters facing the state until he retired in 2014.

Henry, who served in World War II and received the Philippine Independence Medal, was elected to a single term in the state House beginning in 1955.

Henry was later elected to the Senate in 1971, where he championed education, children’s welfare and voting rights. He was also an opponent of abortion rights.

Henry served in a record 23 two-year General Assemblies before he retired.

Gov. Bill Haslam said in a statement on Monday that the state owes a lot to Henry’s dedication and perseverance.

“He served the state for nearly 50 years, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is one of the primary reasons the state is on such solid financial footing today. He was a powerhouse intellect, courteous, kind, genuine and a statesman, and I will miss knowing that his wisdom and perspective are only a phone call away,” Haslam said.

Former Vice President Al Gore said in a statement that he had spoken to Henry just two weeks ago and called him “a dear friend.”

“Senator Douglas Henry devoted his life to public service and embodied the spirit of bipartisanship,” Gore wrote.

Henry’s wife of 67 years, Loiette “Lolly” Hume Henry, died in December at age 89. The Henrys had six children.

AP FILE Former Sen. Douglas Henry, D-Nashville, had the longest tenure in the history of the Tennessee General Assembly.