Born to Frederick Augustus and Ollie Heck Sheffield in New Orleans, LA, on October 25, 1942. Passed at home in Baton Rouge, LA, on July 9, 2022, at age 79. Henry grew up in Kentwood, LA, and attended Kentwood High School (Go Kangaroos!) then attended and graduated from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!). Henry was a proud member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Gamma Iota chapter. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era, stationed in Germany. The majority of his professional career was spent working for the State of Louisiana in the Department of Economic Development.
Henry had a personality that could fill a room, he rarely met a stranger, and had a booming voice that told the funniest stories and jokes. Earlier in life, he found great joy in deer hunting, golfing, and coaching his children’s soccer teams. Henry loved ALL LSU sports, and would inform family of the sport and time of game almost daily. In retirement, he looked forward to the arrival of the morning newspaper and completed the crossword puzzles while listening to his buddies Walton and Johnson on the radio. He was a fan of watching old westerns and Jeopardy on TV. He looked forward to A Christmas Story 24-hour watchathon every December 25 and knew every line of the movie. (“You’ll shoot your eye out!”) He was a skilled craftsman and woodworker. Henry always had sound advice for anyone who needed it and was a great listener. He loved his pets dearly and enjoyed taking care of them. Many people, young and old, were the recipients of his famous $2 bills, of which he always kept a supply.
Henry was predeceased by his parents, brother Charles Harwell Sheffield and wife Gail, brother-in-law John Thomas Whittenburg, niece Michele Garon, various beloved aunts and uncles, and best friend Patrick “Boody” Sears (Diane). He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Kathleen Landry Sheffield; sister Sally Sheffield Garon, and husband Claude; son Jason Sheffield and wife Jeanne; daughter Abigail Meredith and husband Christopher; daughter Molly Bergeron, and husband Blayne, sister-in-law Donna Whittenburg (Felipe); grandchildren Ashley, Lilly, Josephine, Henry, Ruby, Bennett, Sampson, Lake, and Landry Kate; nieces Anne Garon Gannon (Brian) and Julie Garon Carlton (Eric); nephews Joshua Whittenburg (Emily) and Jordan Whittenburg (Melanie); honorary “kids,” Linda Brahmi, Ryan “Rad” Wright (Hugo), and Jeremy Robinson, and an enormous circle of extended family and friends who loved him dearly - and he loved them back. He was “Poppy”, “Papa,” “Uncle Henry,” and “Ree” to dozens of people who had the good fortune of meeting him.
Henry was a one of a kind guy, a good ole country boy, and was a “favorite person” to so many. He will be fondly remembered and never forgotten.
Services will be held on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 11000 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA. Visitation 1:00 - 2:00 pm, and Celebration of Life 2:00 - 3:00 pm. For those in attendance who wish to share a memory or story of Henry, there will be an opportunity to do so during the Celebration of Life.
