Eugene Henry Jr.

Eugene Henry Jr., age 95, was born July 22, 1928, in New Haven, Michigan. The son of Eugene Henry Sr. and Cornelia Suggs, he was born a dreamer! While staying with his grandmother during middle school and high school, Eugene dreamed of piloting planes at the Civilian Airport in Hillsboro, Illinois. Determined to make his dream come true, Eugene began spending time at the airport. He eventually convinced airport officials to let him work there to pay for flying lessons. With newfound inspiration, he joined the ROTC and graduated from high school with honors. While attending the Tuskegee Institute of Technology in Alabama, Eugene also enrolled in Tuskegee’s Reserve Officer Training Program. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Tuskegee in 1952. On October 22, 1952, Eugene entered the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant and was assigned to radar control school at Tyndall Air Force Base, followed by radar control where he was an officer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. After completing air control training, he began multi-engine planes training, which enabled him to command a variety of planes. Eugene flew a multitude of aircraft, most notably the KB-50, aircraft refueler, throughout Europe and Southeast Asia. He has more than 5,000 flight time hours. As pilot in command of the KB-50 and C-130, cargo carrier, he flew throughout 14 countries. One of the highlights of his military career was being chosen to fly a select group of ambassadors in a C-130 to Romania, which during that time, was behind the Iron Curtain. He was seen as a persistent, tactful, skilled, and steady combat leader. A veteran of the Vietnam conflict, Eugene retired from the Air Force in 1972 as a Major. He later was commissioned as lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the Air Force. Eugene’s combined flight time between the Air Force and Civil Air Patrol led to him receiving The Master Pilot Award for flying 50 years or more without an accident or mishap. Eugene’s dream of flying spanned 74 years. A man of God and country, Eugene faithfully served St. Philip AME Church in Decatur, Georgia, as a trustee, a member of the Sanctuary Choir as well as the Media Ministry. Membership in his beloved fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., spanned more than 60 years. He also was active in the community via his involvement with the Atlanta chapter of Tuskegee Airmen International, the board of Peachtree DeKalb Airport, the National Railway Historical Society, the Bloopers Bowling League, and as an ambassador for the Georgia Council for International Visitors. Eugene’s love of deep-sea fishing, his personal boat, weekly bowling, being a ham radio operator, golfing, and taking care of his yard, kept him busy until his final days. Lt. Col. Eugene Henry Jr. filed his last flight plan on November 25, 2023, when he departed his earthly life at North Decatur Emory Hospital. To celebrate his legacy, he leaves his daughters Sharon (Kenneth) Harrison of Waynesboro, Mississippi, from his union with Eloise Pettus, and Cheryl Dion Henry of Smyrna, Georgia, from his 59-year union with Berlena Campbell Henry; brother Donald Henry of Livonia, Michigan; sisters Blanche Sheldon and Elizabeth Abrom of Farmington Hills, Michigan; grandchildren Curtis (Lindsey) Philon, Cathy Witherspoon, and Crystal (Jonathan) Graves; seven great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. Lt. Col. Eugene Henry Jr. your mission is complete… You are cleared to land on runway Heaven!

Tributes

Eugene Henry Jr.

July 22, 1928 - November 25, 2023