Henry Curry

Henry Leon Curry was born on May 21, 1947 in McNary, Arizona to Leon Curry and Meda Victoria Vanpelt Curry. Soon after his birth, the family moved to Silsbee where he lived until his passing on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the age of 75 years.

Funeral service was Saturday, February11atFarmer Funeral Home in Silsbee with burial following at Magnolia Springs Cemetery in Magnolia Springs.

Henry graduated from Silsbee High School as part of the Class of 1965. After graduation, he attended business school for a short while--just long enough for him to know that he was not meant to work inside. Afterward, he enlisted into theUSNavyandwasproud to be a veteran. The only thing that bothered Henry about being in the Navy was that he never got to be on a ship. After leaving the Navy, Henry returned to Silsbee and went to work as a welder for Eastex Paper Mill (and its transitions) where he stayed until his retirement.

On December 29, 1979, Henry’s favorite Christmas gift arrived just a bit late; his pride and joy, “Angie,” was born. He was a wonderful father. Angie wanted nothing more than to make her daddy proud and he was. On August 9, 1985, Henry married his loving wife, Carol, and they enjoyed thirty-seven wonderful years together. With Carol, he also gained a daughter, Lisa, and son, Ernest.

Hunting, fishing, riding his Harley, and spending time with family were Henry’s favorite past-times. He enjoyed a close fellowship with the men he worked with. Those bonds of friendship are still in place today. People enjoyed being with Henry; he had a wonderful sense of humor and could make us laugh over the least little thing. He loved people and they loved him back. He had a spirit of generosity that was humbling at times. If Henry had it, he was ready to share with others. It didn’t take long for others to recognize the tender heart that Henry hid under his big, burly exterior. If Henry loved you, he loved you with his whole heart and being. Along with a loving heart, he had a forgiving heart. The twinkle in his eye when he tried to play a trick on someone often gave him away before he was ready to be done. Henry did silly things like planting Cherrios with his grandchildren. What he was really doing was helping them raise doughnuts that somehow magically grew up overnight. His funny little grin will be missed.

Henry liked working with his hands. He “tinkered” in his shop for hours. He wanted things done right and was a planner. He liked the challenge of “fixing” over just buying something new. Anyone who ever travelled with him knew how he felt about details. He wanted a map to holdbecauseGPScouldnot be trusted. And he studied routes and planned carefully. When he worked on a project, it would be done well because he planned it well. Henry was dependable. “Let’s call Henry; he’ll know what to do” was not an unusual statement by family, friends, and neighbors. He was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Henry was baptized in the old rock building of the Silsbee Church of Christ as a teenager. As sometimes happens, he got away from his church, but “his mama raised him right” and Henry found a new peace with hisGod.Helookedforward to worshipping with his church family on Sundays when his health allowed. Henry created a bucket list and worked hard to fulfill it. He believed in the value of hard work, but he also knew the value of play. His outlook was to always look forward-not back- and to focus on the positive. One of his greatest lessons could be summed up by saying: The sun is shining outside; go out and enjoy the beautiful day or lay down and let darkness overcome you.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Meda Curry, and by his grandson, William “Billy” Pate.

Henry is survived by his wife, Carol Curry; sister, Sara Curry; children, Angie Curry Raliff and husband, Josh; Lisa McInnis and husband, Dale; Ernest Sharp and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Ashley “Muffin” Mitchell and husband, Dustin; Emma Ratliff, Monti Odom, Jr., Noah Ratliff, Taylor Odom and wife, Staci; Waylon Sharp, Jennah Griffis and husband, Thomas; along with fifteen great-grandchildren. Other family members include his aunt, Pansy Moulder and his uncle, Kenneth Moulder; two nephews, one niece, and numerous cousins. Along with family, he is survived by many good friends.

He has left us all with a lifetime of memories.