Kenneth Earl Henry

On July 5,2024, Kenneth Earl Henry peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior in his home.

Kenneth Earl Henry was born to Willis Alfred Henry Jr. and M. Joann Clayton on March 5, 1956 in Burbank, California. His early life in California was spent with his family, participating in Boy Scouts, and even earning a Certificate of Merit for Education in Public Safety in 1968. In 1969 the family moved to Oregon, where he graduated from North Salem High School in 1974.

After high school, Ken volunteered as a Marion County firefighter while working in a local pharmacy. Ken’s career began officially when he was recruited by the Oregon State Police, which finally put that desire for working in public safety on the forefront. He not only worked at the Capitol building, where he instituted some of the first security systems, but eventually became a Range Master and earned Senior Trooper status with 20 years on the force when he retired.

In 1979 during his early days as a police officer he met, and eventually married, Diane Wonser, the love of his life. Just one year later, in February of 1980 the young family welcomed their son Jonathon (John), and in August of 1982, their daughter Rebecca (Becky). Staying busy and providing for his family was always a top priority, and for extra income, he ran a part-time computer business called KD Sales as his kids were growing up. This allowed more freedom to spend time with his family, camping, hiking, spending time at the beach, family road trips, and fishing with his friends and family. Throughout Ken’s life, his service to others was exhibited not only by his chosen career in civil service, but also by his years of participation in Boy Scouts as a co-leader and involved father, continuing the tradition of scouting with both of his kids.

In January of 2001, his wife Diane was diagnosed with an aggressive colon cancer, and for the next 17 months he devoted himself to taking care of her, and never left her side. During Diane’s fight with cancer Ken accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior while attending service at Calvary Chapel Salem. Sadly, in May 2002, Diane lost her battle with cancer and went to be with her Lord.

Ken was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2018, and the once adventurous man, who lived life to its fullest, even jumping out of a perfectly good airplane in 2004, certainly slowed down. But even as the disease progressed, he still loved to stay active and would go on 5+ mile walks with his caregivers!

Ken is preceded in death by his wife Diane; son Jonathan; mother M. Joann Graham (Plemons-Henry-Clayton); and father Willis Alfred Henry, Jr. He is survived by a robust family, including his daughter Rebecca Potterf (Robert); daughter-in-law Shawna Henry (Willwert), grandsons Kai Potterf and Josef Willwert (Chelsea); granddaughters Malia Potterf and Isabella Henry; sisters Cindy Bohach (Steve) and Michelle Christensen (Duane); and nephews and a niece.

A celebration of life will be held July 27, 2024 at 11:00 am at Calvary Chapel Salem and all are welcome to share in the memory of this great man. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Calvary Chapel Salem.