Melvin C. Henry, Jr.

After several years of arduous struggle marked by courage, fortitude, some light moments, but most heavy Melvin C. Henry Jr., 78, a resident of Baton Rouge passed away August 10, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. He was born in 1943 and didn’t see his father until after the end of WWII. He grew up an army brat. His father was in the U.S. Army Air Corps (precursor to the U.S. Air Force). The family lived for several years in Broadstairs in Kent (U.K.), where Melvin attended elementary school across the street from the seaside home of Charles Dickens. He attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth when he was 10 years old. The family returned to Alexandria, Louisiana where he attended Bolton High School. After high school, he attended LSU where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and ROTC. After graduation from LSU he joined the US Air Force during the Vietnam conflict. There, he completed Officer Training School before being assigned to the 3rd Mobile Combat Group (“The Third Herd”). He earned the rank of captain before his time of service ended. He was an avid student of military history, specifically, WWII and the Civil War. After his military service ended he entered the insurance business. He ultimately bought, the insurance agency where he worked. He along with mentor and business partner, Fred Hurst, named the agency Hurst and Henry. They split, amicably, after roughly 10 years. In 1983 Melvin founded Henry Insurance Service, a business still operating today under the leadership of his eldest son, Ross Henry. During his career he earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation, the hallmark designation in that industry. He taught the finance course Risk and Insurance at LSU and helped many younger people find their way into the industry. He was active in his church, Trinity Episcopal in Baton Rouge, where he was a Lay Eucharistic Minister and a Lay Reader. He is preceded in death by his wife Erma Reiley Henry, parents, Melvin C. Henry and Hilda R. Henry and 2 sisters. He is survived by 2 sons: Ross Henry, George Henry and 3 granddaughters: Kira Elizabeth Hagenson, Anna Claire Henry and Abigail Virginia Henry. Special thanks to the team of caregivers at Clarity Hospice and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, specifically Dr. David Hanson and Mallory. And special thanks to his youngest son, George, who was at his side constantly during the final chapter of his life. It is with unceasing admiration and grateful remembrance that we bid you an affectionate farewell, dad. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, August 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, 4045 North St., Baton Rouge.