James Marshall Henry ‘Jim’

HENRY, STOCKSTED, ROHLF, LLEWELLYN, VASSER, WARFORD

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/3/2020 at 09:59:48

James Marshall Henry ‘Jim’ passed away at home on December 27th, 2019 following a year-long battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 4th at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Coralville, IA. A time to greet family from 2:30pm-4pm will be followed by a musical service from 4-5pm, and a light meal in fellowship thereafter.

Jim was born on May 28th, 1949 in Cedar Falls, IA to Marshall and Carolyn Henry. Jim was the third of six children and is survived by his siblings Michael Henry (Barb), of Venice Beach, FL; Robyn Stokstad (Arden) of Des Moines, IA; Catherine Henry Rohlf (John) of Cedar Falls, IA; Thomas Henry (Angela) of South Bend, IN; and Andrea Llewellyn of Waterloo, IA. Jim is preceded in death by his parents.

Jim graduated from State College High School, Class of 1967 in Cedar Falls and attended the University of Northern Iowa where he completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work. He later attended the University of Iowa where he completed his Master’s Degree in Social Work (w/Honors).

In 1992 Jim married the love of his life, Kristine Warford Henry in Nakskov, Denmark on a bike trip through Europe. Jim and Kris settled in the Iowa City/Coralville area where they raised two children, Megan Henry, Würzburg, Germany; and Conor Henry, Iowa City, IA. Jim’s step-son from a previous marriage, Seth Nieman Vasser (Angela) of Washburn, WI and Jim’s two grandchildren, Lily (13) and Will (10) were woven into this family. Jim also loved his rescued Australian Shepherd, Newman, almost as much as Newman loved him.

Jim’s career spanned 44 years working in various Social Work positions, the longest of which was at Grant Wood Area Education Agency for 20 years as a Clinical Social Worker (’88-2008). Later in his career, Jim opened a private psychotherapy practice in Iowa City where he worked with families, children, and individuals while also supervising Master’s level counselors for their State Licensure. Jim always hoped those he supervised learned as much from him as he did from them.

On Jim’s 16th birthday, his mother asked him whether he wanted a car or a drum set and Jim chose the drum set, to his father’s dismay. Jim was a musician through and through. He loved playing the drums, and did so throughout high-school and undergraduate studies. He and sister, Cathy, started “Oasis” (no, not that one!) while both attending college. Later in life, he rediscovered music when he helped start “The Agency” band with friends and co-workers. Just as music touched his life, so did the close and loving friendships that resulted from the music he and his bandmates created.

A high school classmate, Steve Dinger, introduced Jim to sailing early in life and another friend, John Hartley, convinced him to buy his first sailboat. Sailing became a passion and sparked new friendships for Jim. He purchased his second sailboat, Razzle Dazzle, in Michigan and with John’s help, sailed 400 miles through the Great Lakes to the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, near where his son Seth lives.
A true captain, he enjoyed taking family and friends sailing in the beautiful Apostles and spending his summer months with his grandchildren, Lily and Will, on the boat. A highlight of Jim’s sailing life occurred when Steve Dinger invited him to crew for him in the Mediterranean. The trip included sailing through the Corinth Canal, the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. He did not look for Helen of Troy, for he already had his greek face to launch a thousand ships at home in Coralville.

Throughout his life, Jim’s greatest love was traveling. He shared a love of bicycling with his wife, Kris and their kids, as they biked throughout Iowa and many other states, as well as Europe and Canada. In later years, Jim and his wife and family traveled extensively in Europe. His wife, Kris, was born in Greece and his daughter, Megan, studies in Germany, so Europe was a frequent destination. Jim’s son, Conor, spent two years studying in South Korea, and Jim loved exploring a completely different culture with his son. Traveling opened Jim’s eyes to the world around him and built lasting friendships. He loved getting to know his German “family”, Ralf, Marion and their daughter, Lisa. Jim was a Hawkeye fan (especially basketball!) and enjoyed pre/post-game analysis with his brother-in-law Arden. He loved the friends he met along the way and bestows special gratitude to those who have supported him through this ordeal. The Mensch List, a very special group of friends from college, have stayed close through visits, emails and traveling together over the years. Their support has meant a great deal to Jim during these past months. Jim offers a special tribute to his friend Bob Vander Beek. Their friendship dates back to high school and has remained constant throughout the years. Bob is also the proud owner of a small purplish warthog.

To each we are a brother
none go his way alone
what we put into the lives of others
comes back into our own…. anon.

Memorials and Tributes may be directed to Iowa City Hospice and the Coralville Community Food Pantry.

Special thanks to the health care professionals at UIHC and Iowa City Hospice

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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