Commander Gary Wayne Henry, USN (Ret.)

Commander Gary Wayne Henry, USN (Ret.), of Louisburg, Kansas, left the bounds of earth for his heavenly home on Monday, June 15, 2026. He was born in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, on September 19, 1946, to Earnest Clarence Henry and Mabel Cleo (Conyers) Henry. His parents owned a small grocery store, and they lived in the country. Gary enjoyed the open-air freedom, having fun with his dog, Sport, fishing. and swimming in their pond.

His education started in a one- room schoolhouse in Greenridge until the 3rd grade. He then attended El Dorado Springs public school, graduating high school in 1964. His family attended the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church where in 1960, Gary accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and was saved by the Grace of God. He later was a member of the First Baptist Church of Raymore, Missouri.

Gary continued his education and was a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He joined the US Navy and entered Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, Following graduation, he served in the Vietnam War for several tours of duty, aboard the USS McKean (DD784), USS Sanctuary (AH17), and Danang, RVN. Commander Henry is a retired member of the United States Naval Reserve.

After the war, he attended the University of Missouri School of Law in Kansas City, Missouri, and completed the course of study required for the degree of Juris Doctor in 1974. He was later elected to the office of Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for the 17th Judicial Circuit, Cass County, Missouri, serving from 1982-1994. He was also a member of the Missouri State Bar Association. Besides his work, he enjoyed family life raising two sons. Later he was blessed with five grandchildren and then enjoyed life as a grandpa.

Gary’s entertainment passions were sailing and traveling. Following retirement, he travelled extensively throughout Europe. He enjoyed the adventure of navigating through the countries on his own timeline while emerging himself in the culture and wonders before him. He later brought that love of travel to his grandkids, taking them on adventures by train to various states and visiting the state capitols. He was a very proud dad and grandpa who loved his family dearly and tried to be there for them whenever possible.

Never a man to be idle, Gary also enjoyed astronomy, spending many nights out with his telescope. He learned astrophotography and won first place for one of his photos. He was also an avid reader. He kept up on daily news as well as reading articles on a plethora of websites of many topics. He also kept several books and his Bible bedside to read before bedtime. He also enjoyed household projects, building, repairing, and finding better ways to do things.

In his later years, Gary settled in Louisburg, Kansas, with his fiancé. There they enjoyed his final years together laughing and enjoying one another’s company, walking around the lake, enjoying nature, and photographing the beauty around them. He also enjoyed visiting his neighbors and helping out whenever he could.

Gary was one of a kind - a very kind and loving man, a beloved father and grandpa, a good neighbor, and a true friend whose quiet manner and friendly conversations will be sadly missed.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind his beloved family – two sons, James Henry (Sarah Laws) of Kansas City, Missouri; Brian (Jennifer) Henry of Greenwood, Missouri; his fiancé, June Pisciotta of Louisburg, Kansas; and five grandchildren – Emma, Hugh, Madison, Braelyn, and Chase Henry.

Visitation will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Dengel & Son Mortuary – Louisburg Chapel, 1 Aquatic Drive, Louisburg, KS 66053. Celebration of life will follow at 12:00 pm, with Pastor Cooper Moore officiating. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed. Gary Henry Funeral Service Livestream.

Interment will take place at 1:00 pm, Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Virgil City Cemetery, 29905 E Stone Rd, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744, where military honors will be provided by The United States Navy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made payable to Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 W 34th St, Kansas City, MO 64111.

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