Dick was the strength of the family, an athlete in his younger days in football and baseball, where he broke his leg sliding into second base. Growing up as the only child of Noah (violin musician on a Mississippi riverboat) and Georgia in Maplewood (St Louis), he and Barbara met in Springfield while students at Southwest Missouri State. He said it was love at first sight -- marrying her was the best thing he ever did. A football coach and teacher, he remained close friends with several students and colleagues from his early years at Center School District in Kansas City. They met weekly for lunches at R.C.'s.
In 1964, with four children to raise, they built a lovely ranch house in Bridlespur where they lived for 52 years. He got a masters at MU and an EdD at KU - although notably he remained a firm Tiger fan and anti-Jayhawk his whole life. Mid-career, he helped design a cutting edge open-classroom elementary school, Ingalls Elementary, where he remained as principal until retirement. After a decade with JC Nichols Real Estate, he marshalled at Fred Arbanas Golf Course where he enjoyed many rounds of golf with family and friends.
At 93, with Barbara at his side, he passed in his sleep at home in Leawood KS after an amazing last day celebrating their long happy life together. Dick was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Noah and Georgia Henley; son Richard J. Henley Jr, sons-in-law Gene Wuellner and Mark Ladd and granddaughter Alexandra Ladd. Surviving family are wife Barbara J. Henley; children William J. Henley and wife Linda of San Leandro CA, Cindy Frewen Wuellner, and Rebecca Henley-Booker; grandchildren Georgia Henley of Arlington MA, Victoria Dawson and husband Chad, Tyler Ladd, and Christian Ladd; great-grandchildren Silas, Vada, and Kadence.
Visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday June 2, 2021 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Center Education Foundation, 1221 West 103rd Street, Ste 164, Kansas City, MO 64114.
