OBITUARIES

Eugene ‘Gene’ M. Henry

April 3, 1923 — March 1, 2021

Born in Colorado, Gene enlisted in the US Navy in 1941 immediately after high school and served shipboard at Pearl Harbor and Midway. The US Naval Academy selected him, and he became the 1st “Six Striper” and 1st Midshipmen Battalion Commander in the history of USNA.

In 1947, Gene married Floy. The two would have three children: Nancy, Jim and Lisa. Gene’s submariner life, Naval Postgraduate School and nuclear sub design supervision assignments kept the family moving coast to coast. After serving on administration staff at US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, he retired from the Navy in 1967. The next day he began a new career, head of Pepperdine University’s math and physics department, and later taught and administered at other schools.

He and Floy resided on the Monterey Peninsula when his longtime avid love of mountains, fishing and wilderness backpacking “lured” them to Tuolumne County in 1985. Older local fishing fans may recall the “Fisherman’s Yard Sale” he and his friend, Galen Blackwell, would hold in Sugar Pine. He continued to log many adventures.

Devoted to God and the Bible, Gene and Floy were active in church wherever life led. They were generous to global missions, relief, and many in need. They were members of Sonora Church of Christ.

Married 52 years, Floy passed in 1999. Gene found love again and enjoyed marriage with “Billie” until she passed in 2011.

He was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, proud of his Navy service, sporting his “Bottom Gun” submariner cap all the way.

The family extends deep gratitude to his good friends, his dogs, and his wonderful, dedicated caregivers. They helped bring joy and dignity to his final years. Angels.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Lisa Henry; grandchildren Sarah Lightfoot, Ben White, Adam White, Jacob White, Galen Hodell, Gita Hodell and Hap Henry; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Floy Henry; second wife Billie Henry; son, James Henry; daughter, Nancy Salmon; both parents; and his siblings, James and Ruth.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at Sonora Church of Christ, 14045 Tuolumne Road in Sonora.

Memorial donations may be made to Humane Society of Tuolumne County, P.O. Box 830, Jamestown, CA 95327, or Sonora Church of Christ, 14054 Tuolumne Road, Sonora, CA 95370.

Notices

BURNS — Margaret Elinore Burns, 96, died Wednesday, March 10, at her home in Sonora. The Neptune Society of Central California is handling arrangements.

HAGSTROM — Ruth O. Hagstrom, 85, died Thursday, March 11, at her home in Sonora. Inurnment will be at the Columbia Cemetery in Columbia. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling cremation arrangements.