James Merlin Henry

A celebration of life service for James Merlin Henry, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2024, in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 112 Aid Avenue, West Plains, MO 65775, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Visitation services will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

James Merlin Henry arrived on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1937, in the Dust Bowl of Claflin, Kansas. Surrounded by love, Jim departed this life for the everlasting April 1, 2024, following his favorite holiday, Easter, with his spring lawn in unfurling bloom, blossom and color. Jim was the youngest of four children born to Edward Paul and Veva Harris Henry. He spent his childhood in Salina, Kansas, with numerous family relocations to his father’s hometown of West Plains, Missouri to help his grandmother. They returned to the West Plains homestead permanently Jim’s senior year of high school. A quiet, witty, and intelligent teen, Jim soon returned to his position of go-to wingback on the Zizzer football squad and track standout known for his “Ipana smile.” He graduated from West Plains High School in 1955, and entered a four-year manufacturing management program at Caterpillar Tractor in Joliet, Illinois. Jim, ever hopeful of returning to West Plains, met St. Louis entrepreneur Jack McDaniel Sr., who speculated opening a defense manufacturing company in the area. In 1959, Jim became one of the first-hired production employees of Southwest Truck Body Company (SWT now DRS). In 1961, Jim entered the Mechanical Engineering program at Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now Missouri S&T). In January 1964, Jim returned to West Plains, as the very first in-house engineer for SWT. In 1969, he was named general manager of the company, and later assumed the additional role as senior vice president of manufacturing until the company was sold in the late 1980s. In 1988, Jim purchased a small manufacturing business in Illinois. In 1992, Jim returned to West Plains to serve as general manager, and later CEO of Perennial Energy, Inc. (PEI). He held this role until his retirement in 2013.  Jim Henry was known for his successful management style and mentoring generations. He recognized potential in team members, encouraged and invested in their education, development, understanding, professional ethics, and business acumen, and he valued their engagement in the community. He delighted in their personal growth and professional successes, and his support transformed many futures. Jim understood business, cultural nuances, and was known for his skill in contract negotiations. He helped deliver projects, jobs, and a better standard of living to his hometown, while working collaboratively with international governments and industry leaders like Mercedes and BMW to manufacture military and civilian transport equipment; and later, to help first and third world countries turn bio-waste into alternative power sources, improving economic and living conditions, air, soil, and water quality for all. Throughout his career, across all industries, Jim advocated for employee benefits; he thought all should receive pension, or 401k, as well as health and dental insurance.  A dedicated community member, Jim helped establish business and civic organizations and was relied upon to define clear bylaws, salient objectives, and operational goals. He often worked behind the scenes to bring national organizations to his hometown, pulling together teams to launch diverse initiatives and West Plains-centric efforts ranging from West Plains Council on the Arts to The Friendship Circle Preschool. He was a longtime member of the West Plains R-7 School Board and The Advisory Board for Southwest Missouri State University-WP (now MSU). He was a West Plains Chamber of Commerce President and Chamber award recipient. He was meticulous, engaged, focused, and dedicated to all the companies, ventures, organizations, nonprofits, groups, boards, committees, and individuals he served. Some of these meaningful board roles in his home community included West Plains Bank and Trust Company, West Plains Country Club, West Plains Industrial/Economic Development Council, and West Plains Housing Authority. He was named by the governor to a statewide initiative based on his economic and industrial development experience. He received repeated national awards as a top defense contractor by the Small Business Administration. He was a life member of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, The American Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and The Society of Mayflower Descendants. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Salina, Kansas and West Plains, Missouri for a collective 55 years. He taught Sunday School for decades, first to teens, a role he cherished, and later, he enjoyed this mutually enlightening role with adult parishioners. Most recently, Jim enjoyed the fellowship and spiritual home he found at First Presbyterian Church of West Plains, Missouri.  For years, Jim’s quick step and whistling song announced his approach. He forged deep friendships and was well-known for his wit. Caring for his yard and gardening was his meditation. Jim collected and restored Model T Fords and 1940s pickups. He doled out clever nicknames, his script handwriting was impeccable, and Jim’s hilarious stories, cards, and accompanying illustrations were inspired. He was a voracious reader of fiction, non-fiction and theological texts. He attributed any and all success in life to the one who was beside him for over sixty-six years. Nancy Ann LaFevers became his wife on July 2, 1957. Smart as a whip, unpretentious and good-natured, and possessing a canny business mind of her own, Jim treasured Nancy’s point of view and gifts. The couple rarely spent a day apart. Their special partnership of shared values, humor, admiration, faith, and dedication, along with her ability to fill in the very occasional crossword squares Jim left blank, is one for the ages. Not only was he a constant husband, Jim Henry was the ultimate girl dad. While he insisted his daughters run endless patterns catching football passes, he also possessed infinite patience, humor, and sensitivity. He was supportive, loving, and fun. He led neighborhood sports games and came home on his lunch hour on snow days to make phenomenal giant snow sculptures with his girls and their friends. His grandchildren thought he hung the moon. It was mutual, as he knew no greater joy than his two granddaughters and grandson.

In recent years, Jim expanded his circle of friends with wonderful, dedicated caregivers who enriched his life and shared his humor. Over time, they became more like family. The Henrys express deepest thanks, love and appreciation to Diana, Lorie, Kathy, Misty, Daryl, Dana, and Deborah. To Dr. Jeffrey F. Roylance, Bethany and Treba, your incredible care, support, and friendship over many years provided comfort and light. God Bless and thank you all.

In addition to his beloved wife Nancy, Jim is survived by his two daughters and their families, Ann-Elizabeth Henry Yorty and Stephanie Henry Stollenwerck, and husband John of Dallas; and Jim’s grandchildren Annabel Stollenwerck, Houston, Texas; Emeline Yorty, Overland Park, Kansas; and John Stollenwerck Jr., of Dallas. He is also survived by sister-in-law Janice Langston Bowden; brother-in-law Philip P. Corneli; friend and former son-in-law Adam Yorty; childhood friend Jack Gilbreath; along with seven nieces and nine nephews and spouses; and a number of great nieces and nephews across the country; along with many cherished cousins, longtime friends and colleagues.

He is preceded in death by his parents and much-adored older siblings: Helen Crawford (Lewis), Mildred Lewis (Robert), and Edward Paul Henry Jr. (Jeannie); along with sisters-in-law Helen LaFevers Corneli; Janet Kay Hollingshad LaFevers; and brothers-in-law William Henry LaFevers, Terry Langston, and Keith Bowden; and nephews William David LaFevers and Deric Alexander LaFevers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an effort he believed in: West Plains Housing Authority. Another organization that aligns with Jim’s desire to help others is MISSION MSA, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research and a cure for the neurodegenerative disease Jim lived with in his final years: Multiple System Atrophy. Please note “In honor of Jim Henry.” Donations to WPHA or MISSION MSA may be delivered or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775; or you may donate to Mission MSA online in his honor: www.missionmsa.org.