Henry Sr. Robert E.

Robert E. Henry Sr., age 79, of Johnson City passed away on Monday, April 24, 2006 after a lengthy illness. Mr. Henry was a native of Abingdon, Virginia and had been a resident of Johnson City since 1929. He was a son of the late Eddie M. and Elizabeth Austin Henry. Mr. Henry was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served during World War II and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the Victory Medal. Mr. Henry started Service Electric Company on East Main Street in 1947. In 1950, he began TPI Corporation with his brother, the late Eddie M. Henry Jr., and business partner, the late Robert T. Dennis. Today TPI Corporation is known as a major manufacturer of electrical heating and air ventilation products. Mr. Henry was also co-owner of Fostoria Industries Inc., Fostoria, Ohio, manufacturer of lighting, infra-red products, and process heating systems. Additionally, Mr. Henry was a partner in D and H Realty. Mr. Henry was a board member of the Johnson City Commission from 1963 to 1967. From 1954 to 1972, he served on the Johnson City Industrial Commission. He was a member of the Johnson City Planning Commission and the Civil Service Board from 1963 to 1967. Mr. Henry served as Chairman of the Health and Education Facilities Board for eight years during which time he was instrumental in raising the fifty million dollars needed to build the Johnson City Medical Center in 1977. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge and the Johnson City Elks Lodge # 825. Mr. Henry is preceded in death by: one brother, Eddie M. Henry Jr. and one grandson, Christopher Ryan Cox. Survivors include his wife, Estelle Tucker Henry; two daughters, Kay H. Hale and her husband, Darrell and Katherine A. Henry; two sons, Robert E. Henry Jr. and David S. Henry; grandchildren, Austin Andrew Henry, Robert Aaron Cox and wife Kelly; a great grandson, Marshall Aaron Cox; three step-grandchildren, James R. Hale, Charles A. Hale, and Lorrie E. Hale; several nieces, nephews, and a number of friends also survive. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 PM Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the Morris-Baker Funeral Home. A private family funeral service will be conducted on Thursday in the funeral home chapel. Dr. Don Jeanes, President of Milligan College, will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Chapel Mauseleum at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded at the mausoleum by the VFW Post # 3382 and the Tennessee National Guard of Kingsport. Active pallbearers will be Mickey Jilton, Eddie M. Henry III, Bradley Henry, Gary Henry, Dan Berry and David Berry. Honorary pallbearers will be 'Bo' Austin, Ned Jilton II, Vince Williams, David Stover Jr., Corporate Staff Members, J.R. Thompson, Ray Pepe, Jack Miller, Gary Sparks, David Beaver, Harold Hertenstein, Rodger Hodges and Larry Dunlap. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts be sent to the Christopher Ryan Cox Endowment Fund, Milligan College, P.O. Box 9, Milligan College, TN 37682.