George Walter “Bunky” Henry Jr., 74, of Alpharetta died August 17 following surgery for an aortic aneurysm.
The memorial service is 2 p.m. Thursday, August 30, at Cornerstone Church, 4680 Lexington Road, in Athens with visitation to follow.
After 64 years as an amateur and pro golfer, Bunky was an instructor at the Golf Club of Georgia where he specialized in swing technology. William “Dynamite” Goodloe, Jr., his uncle, was instrumental in introducing and teaching Bunky- a nickname given by his grandmother-the game of golf. He was 10 when he played in his first golf tournament. At Valdosta High School he was a champion golfer and football player. He attended Georgia Tech on a football scholarship, was a record-setting extra-point kicker, set an NCAA record, and led Tech’s Yellow Jackets in scoring in 1965. He was inducted into in the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame as a two-sport athlete. He modestly said, according to a PGA Tour article, “On a golf course, the pressure lasts four hours. It’s only 10 seconds for someone kicking a football.” In 1999, Tech designated him one of the 25 greatest Tech athletes of the century.
After graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in industrial management, he turned pro in 1967 and played with the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour through 2001. His pro career includes winning the 1969 National Airlines Open and 63 career PGA Tour Champions tournaments with three top-10s. Twice, Bunky played the Masters Golf Tournament, and he readily admitted that he didn’t play well either time. He is an inductee in the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
Everyone Bunky met became a friend for life. He hosted popular Masters’ week and corporate outings with a warm demeanor that added light to the festivities. He didn’t hesitate to serve as chef at many events and took satisfaction in preparing fabulous meals. His enviable ability to tell an entertaining story is legendary. Noted for his classy, humble, and gracious manner, many people would never know he was a golf champion unless they asked him.
The Valdosta native was the son of Leecy Goodloe Henry Coleman of Greenwood, SC, and the late George “Tony” Henry. Bunky formerly was married to Kay Barker Henry of Valdosta, the mother of his four children. He maintained a familial relationship with his former daughters-in-law Michelle Henry of Houston, TX, and Hilary Oltmanns of Yukon, OK.
Survivors other than his mother include his wife, Marcia Macfarland Henry of Alpharetta; three sons, Brad Henry of Houston, Shawn Henry of Valdosta, and Shane (Julie) Henry of Adel; a daughter, Meredith (David) Staton of Athens; his brother William “Bill” (Diane) Henry of Augusta; his cousin Gigi Goodloe (Ted) Cannella of Tampa, FL; and eight grandchildren, Brinson Henry and Luke Henry of Yukon, Reed Henry, Cole Henry, Grant Henry and Drake Henry of Houston, Amelia Henry of Adel, and Charlie Staton of Athens.
Bernstein Funeral Home in Athens is in charge of arrangements.
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