Jack Layne Henry, 72, of China Spring, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
A visitation will be held at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend, Waco on Friday, April 22 from 5 to 7pm.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, April 23 at St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption, 301 S. Harrison Street, West, with burial immediately following at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West.
There are not enough words to fully describe the man that Jack Henry truly was. He was known as “the most positive person ever”. Throughout his life he was many things to many people; each one unique to itself. He was a friend, mentor, coach, role model, “parallel parking instructor” and “one liner king”. However, the names that were most precious to him were husband, dad, and Papa Jack.
Jack served his country honorably in Vietnam as a member of the United States Army. He was a self-proclaimed sports fanatic, rooting for the Baylor Bears for whom he was a huge supporter. He was a member of the Optimists Club and enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing poker, and spending time with family and friends.
Jack was a successful insurance agent for 50 years. He started his first agency named the Jack L. Henry Insurance Agency and ended his career with Higginbotham Insurance one of the top insurance agencies in the nation. Jack’s son Gary continues to carry on the tradition at Higginbotham Insurance located in Waco, TX.
In recent years, Jack developed a new passion which was watching any and all of his grandchildren’s sporting events, where he would shout and cheer from the stands. He was Jack Layne Henry – husband, father, son, brother, friend, and his all-time favorite, “Papa Jack”. Most of all Jack was greatly loved, he will be missed by many.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Linda (Girard); sons, Gary (Jennifer) and Gregory (Lisa Salganik). He was known as “Papa Jack” to his grandchildren, Cambria, Jordan, Jack, Ari, Harper, Ford, Jaden and Kallan. He is further survived by his sister, Judith Williams (Otis), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, T.W. and Mary Lucille Henry; and brother, James “Butch” Henry.
The family wishes to express a warm heartfelt thanks to long time friend, Linda Gilliam; the doctors and staff at Hillcrest Cancer Center; Visiting Angels, especially Jasmine; the doctors and staff at Ascension ICU; the doctors and staff at Ascension In-Patient Hospice; the staff at Bluebonnet Home Health; and cherished family and friends.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jack’s name to St. Philip Catholic Church, 13095 Old China Spring Road, China Spring 76633, 254-836-1825; Providence Hospice Place, 300 West Hwy 6, Waco, 76712, 254-537-4699; China Spring Youth Athletic Association, P.O. Box 309, China Spring, 76633, csyaasports@yahoo.com; the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, www.nationalmssociety.org; or your favorite charity.
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Smiling Papa Jack and I have been good friends since 1969. That’s 53 years of a barrel of fun. The memories we created and the fun times we shared are too many to mention. From T.W. Henry days (I worked with his dad), to Butch days at Chanel 6 TV, to basketball officiating, to kid’s football, kid’s baseball, Baylor games too many to count, and birthday celebrations at fun places like the Magic Time Machine in Austin, etc. What a legacy Papa Jack created. We LOVED both he and Linda and their family. He will be missed by many, but his positive memories will be here for decades to come. Prayers for the entire family.
Love, Gary & Donna Simpson
Linda and Gary: I was so sorry to hear about Jack. He truly was a special man and always, always positive. Every time I asked him how he was he replied with “living the dream, living the dream”. I so enjoyed working with him for many years and will be praying for you all.
Susan & Dan Wright
My thoughts and prayers for the family for a great man will be missed.
Jack was a friend and mentor for me. He gave me a chance coaching with him. I had the time of my learning the game of baseball from him. I will alway remember our road trips to games and tournaments. I will miss you Coach Henry, but I’ll never forget you.
Love ya
Because Coach Henry made a lasting and positive impression on me during my youth, I have thought of him often throughout the years. Always smiling and happy to see you, he just made you feel good when in his presence. As a young man, he instilled confidence and an ability to raise you to a level you didn’t know you had. Though he is no longer here, he will live on in the memories I and I’m sure so many others have of him. What a privilege it was to have spent time with someone like Coach Henry. Much love to the entire Henry family.
What a great friend and baseball coach
See you again one day my friend. I’ll never forget that smile and your joking sense of humor. You knew more people than anyone else I know. That’s how many lives you touched. God speed.
Jack will surely be missed. He was one of a kind. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Dear Linda – so so sorry for your loss – my deepest sympathies & condolences – keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Jack was and is an amazing man. He will be missed. Send prayers and love to the Henry family.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Henry family. Jack Henry was an amazing and unforgettable man. I will always remember his strong sense of humor, great wit, and his ability to bring out the very best in people. I feel greatly blessed to have had the opportunity of knowing him. He touched many lives and will always be remembered in my heart.
Linda and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Jack. I think I’ll miss his laugh the most. It was truly unique, just like him.
So sorry to hear about Jack. What a super fun loving guy he was. An inspiration to everyone who knew him
Personally and professionally. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Prayers for family and friends.
Linda & family, am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jack. Met him at Dicorte’s Liquor back in the early 80’s, and when he told me he married Linda Girard, we bacame good friends (her brother was a close friend). He always “carried” the floor laughing, telling stories, and saying hello to everyone in the store. What a perfect insurance man! Jack’s smile will surely be missed but not forgotten. God Bless Jack’s family at this sad time. He is no longer in pain.
Joe Mashek
Linda and family.
I’m so sorry to hear about Jack’s passing.
My memories are of him and my cousin, Cecil
Ellis. Had some fun times back in high school.
RIP Jack and give Cecil a huge hug for me when
you see him.
Your friend Billie
Linda, Gary, and Greg,
I’m so sorry to here of the passing of such an incredible man! I have so many amazing memories of him waking Greg and I at sleep overs in the craziest ways and always making us laugh! He made such an impression on me as a kid from coaching baseball to showing us to always have fun and work hard while doing it. I think about him all the time and know he’s looking down on us from the big field now. May he Rest In Peace and know I have you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Linda and family.
Jack was an incredible man, full of life and always smiling and never seemed to meet a stranger. He will be missed but his wonderful memories will continue to live on. My thought and prayers are with your family as you go through this difficult time. BIG HUG to you all !!!
I was about 5 years old when my dad introduced me to Jack and he said, “Jack is a great guy.” Boy was my dad right! He was an encourager and motivator that we all wanted to play for during baseball season. Jack and Butch were “THE” mentors and coaches to countless young men in Waco and beyond.
Linda, Gary and Greg, our hearts go out to you as you walk in these steps today. Jack lived life well and we are truly blessed to have been touched by his spirit and competitiveness. He will love on forever in our heart. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
I never seen Jack when he didn’t have a big smile on his face. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of sorrow.
Happy Jack !!!! There is No words to describe this MAN . Always a smile for all and will Truly be missed by anyone that knew Him <3 !! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0WvXpyufT8
I can’t remember a time that I didn’t see Jack smiling!
My family lived in the next block on Curtis Dr from the Henry family growing up. Judy and I were great friends.
We bonded, I think in part, because our families were so much alike. I loved the Henry family so much. Living in Dallas from 1968 until present, Judy, Jack and I remained friends thru FB. Jack will surely be missed. He left a great legacy. My condolences to all he left behind.
Love you Judy! ❤️
Thank you for the opportunity to care for your loved one. You are in our thoughts and prayers.