Bishop Henry Arnold Fletcher
Bishop Henry Arnold Fletcher, a minister, businessman and former Texas State Representative passed from this life on Friday, July 22, 2011.
Henry was born on July 29, 1933, in Parkdale, Ark. He was the oldest son of Arnold V. and Jimmie Lee Fletcher and lived in Louisiana the early years of his life. In 1945, he moved with his family to the Fresno area of California where he
attended Central Union High School.
At 16 years of age, he headed to San Antonio, Texas, to pursue his dreams. He graduated from the International Bible College”s (IBC) High School and then attended college at IBC. There he met and on June 2, 1952, married Ethelene Twilley, his precious wife of 59 years.
Rev. Fletcher was a born leader with a relentless faith in God and a fearless approach to life. He served as an ordained licensed minister and was instrumental in the formation of the Ministerial Association of Jesus Christ (MAJC), and Apostolic Christian Network (ACN). From 1952 to 1967, he assisted his father-in-law, Joseph Twilley, at numerous churches in Central Texas. In 1954, he established Calvary Gospel Church (now Abundant Life Church) in Seguin, where he later returned to pastor in 1978 for the next 33 years.
He was elected to the Texas State House of Representatives in 1961 and served three terms. He was also a business entrepreneur, owning furniture stores in San Marcos, Lockhart and Luling. In the later years of his life, he served as Chairman and President of the Republican Party for Guadalupe County.
In 2009, Rev. Fletcher was ordained as a Bishop with the Apostolic Christian Network. He will be remembered for his great love for God, his family and service to others.
He is survived by his wife, Ethelene Fletcher; son and daughter-in-law, Henry “Rusty” and Lyudmila Fletcher, Jr.; son, Ron Fletcher; daughter and son-in-law, Glenda and Mark Behrens; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Gordon McKean; seven grandchildren: Ana, Kellie and Joseph Fletcher, Kyle and wife, Jessica Behrens, and Kelsey Behrens, and Brett and Melissa McKean; and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by siblings: Norman Fletcher, Claude Fletcher, Arnold V. “Hap” Fletcher, Jr., Margie Bennett and Shirley Redding.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, David Fletcher.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, July 31, 2011, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Living Waters Worship Center, 3325 N State Highway 46, Seguin Texas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Christian Life Church, 4700 West Gate Blvd., Austin, Texas. Burial will be at the Texas State Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Guerrero-Dean Funeral (972) 263-5570).
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the building fund for A Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Rusty Fletcher, P.O. Box 2113, Kyle, Texas 78640 (http://www.afountain.org).
