Robert Henslee
Robert Henry “R.H.” Henslee, 93 of Lockhart, went to his Lord and Savior on Friday May 20, 2016. He was born in Desdemona, Texas on December 18, 1922. He was the youngest of five children of William Homer Henslee and Clara Jane Cramer Henslee.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his 4 siblings, Vena Henslee Withrow, William Arnold Henslee, Leo Boyce Henslee an
d Jerrell Winn Henslee, His wife of 53 years Dorothy Perkins Henslee and one Grandson E. Neal Vogel.
He is survived by his two daughters, June (Eddie) Vogel and Janey Mae (Harold) Evans, three grandchildren Warren (Natalie) Evans, Jamee (Aron) Griebel, and Darcee (James) Patton, and nine Great Grandchildren Ashley Vogel (Blaine) Schafer, Ryan Vogel, Harrison Evans, and Hudson Evans, Mackinzee Griebel,and Cy Griebel, Greysen Patton, Kamdyn Patton, and Kynzlee Patton and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
His Father was killed in an oil field accident 10 days before his 2nd birthday. His Mother raised 5 children during the Great Depression alone. He relied on his Mother, Sister and Older Brothers for guidance since he did not have his father. He quit school at age 13 and went to work to help support the family. He began working in the auto salvage business with his brothers. They started several businesses together before WWII, but when it was time for them to support their country they all volunteered for service. R. H. enlisted in the Army Air Corp in October 1942. He was an airplane mechanic and was stationed in Del Rio, Texas and Tampa, Florida. Although he enjoyed working on airplanes he hated to fly. He was honorably discharged in January 1945. After coming back to Texas and working with his brothers in Odessa, Texas he moved to New Braunfels, Texas to help his brother open another auto salvage yard. There he met the love of his live, Dorothy Perkins. They married July 30, 1948 in Austin, Texas and moved to Lockhart, Texas to start their own auto salvage business.
R. H. was one of the original members of the Great Southwest Auto Locator Phone Circuit. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and rarely took a day off. After over 50 years of hard work he finally retired in December 1991 so he could enjoy time with his family and hobbies. He had an incredible ability to design and build unique tools and he designed and constructed most of the buildings that he used in his business. He believed in his Lord and Savior, hard work, honesty and integrity. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lockhart and supported his family in many endeavors. He loved to video family especially his grandchildren and made hundred of tapes of their activities and family gatherings. R. H. was a devoted, loving and generous husband, father, grandfather and Christian.
He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by many.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Lockhart with the Rev. Rob Clopton officiating. Pallbearers will be Frank Aguilar, Bill Clark, Aron Griebel, Cy Griebel, Bobby Herzog, and James Patton. Memorial contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church of Lockhart. Services provided by Eeds Funeral Home of Lockhart.
R.H.’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of 1017 Bois’d Arc of Lockhart, the staff and caregivers of New Haven Memory Care of Kyle, and the caregivers of Kindred at Home Hospice of San Marcos.
