Henry Temple Fuqua Jr.

Henry was born May 26, 1925 in Wise County, Texas, near Rhome, to Allene Mays

Fuqua and Henry Temple Fuqua Sr. His father went by “Temple,” so his family called

him “HT.” They farmed, gardened, raised sheep, cows, and chickens. From his father he

learned (among other things) to enjoy jokes, pranks, and dominoes. In his family he

learned to care for each other.

In 1943 he enlisted in the Navy, became known as Henry, and trained as an Advanced

Fire Controlman. He served on the USS Barrow, an Attack Transport. While serving on

the Barrow, he carried troops to the Pacific theatre, including to Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

He tells the story of watching a kamikaze pilot headed for his ship, shot into the water in

front of them. He separated from the Navy in 1946. He was called back for the Korean

War, stationed on the USS Wiseman, a Destroyer Escort, from 1950 through 1951.

On shore leave in late 1945 he met Barbara Muck at Janzen Beach Roller Rink. They

married on August 18th, 1946. They bought a house in Portland in 1949 and in 1963 they

moved to Salem. Henry and Barbara raised two daughters, born in 1950 and 1960.

Barbara died in 2006 and Henry never remarried. After she passed away, in addition to

his own wedding ring Henry began wearing her engagement ring on his little finger. He

told family, “She wore it for 60 years, let’s see how long I can wear it.”

Henry joined Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company, working in Portland and then

Salem in technical craft and supervisory positions. To his co-workers he was known as

“Hank.” He retired in 1983 with 35 years. After his retirement he unfailingly attended

years of regular breakfasts and lunches with his fellow retirees.

He grew up in the Methodist Church, and then joined Barbara as a member of the

Lutheran Church, volunteering whenever he could help. One friend speaks of his

“invisible ministry...which people find out about only when they are a recipient. As Henry

hears about someone in need he is there to help move, transport, care for, run errands, or

whatever is needed.”

He volunteered in the community as well. In 1977 he joined the Oregon Games for the

Physically Limited, helping in organization and hands-on work at events. In 1984 he

began volunteering with the Salem Police Department. After 30 years of work with the

SPD, he was awarded the “Verne Miller Key Citizen Award” for his special projects and

events work. (You may have met him several times as McGruff the Crime-Fighting

Dog.)

A favorite hobby of Henry’s was repairing television sets & other electronics for friends

and neighbors. He had his own test equipment and tools assembled in his workshops in

his Portland and Salem homes. In his early family years he made wooden toys and

elephant step-stools; he continued his woodworking as he helped others with repair jobs.

He attended Navy reunions, and contributed to many Navy and veteran memorial

foundations. He flew to Washington, DC on an Honor Flight, and in 2022 he was

presented with the Quilt of Valor made uniquely for him by the Salem Star Valor

Quilters.

He kept in close contact with his Texas family, making twice-yearly drives to and from

his family home in his red Prius, attending family reunions in June and school reunions in

October. He stayed in touch with Barbara’s family after her passing.

He lived at his home until Fall of 2023, moving into Faye Wright Senior Living in

October, where he was lovingly cared for by their kind, attentive staff, and also by

Willamette Vital Health in later days. His last church service was Christmas Day, a very

happy morning for him. His pastors at St John, other church members, and neighborhood

friends visited him often, in hospital and at Faye Wright. After a day of family visits, and

phone calls with his brother and his sister-in-law in Texas, he passed over in the early

morning of January 21st.

Previously departed loved ones include his wife Barbara (Muck) Fuqua, his brother Mays

Fuqua, his sisters Geneva Bratton and Mary Helen Gadberry and their spouses J W and

DeWitt, his sisters-in-law Eva Jean (Nelson) Fuqua, Joan (Muck) Metzger, Margaret

(Muck) Fenske, and his brother-in-law George Muck. He leaves behind his daughters

Virginia Purvis and Jennifer Russell, their spouses CJ Jones and Mancil Russell, his

granddaughter Faith Purvis, and Mancil’s children Clint and Myra Russell, his brother

Verne Fuqua, his sisters-in-law: Billie Evelyn (Moore) Fuqua, Elizabeth (Muck) Kahle,

and Joyce (Allison) Muck, along with many nephews and nieces and cousins. And many

many friends, and his neighbors on his home street, who have shared his years with him.

A memorial service will be at St John Lutheran Church @ 1350 Court Street NE in

Salem, on February 18th. Viewing begins at 1pm, and the service begins at 2pm,

February 18th, with a reception to follow. He will be buried with his wife at Willamette

National Cemetery on February 20th at 1:30pm, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the USS SLATER/Destroyer Escort

Historical Museum, the Union Gospel Mission in Salem, St John Lutheran Church in

Salem, or to your charity of choice, in his memory.