He grew up on a ranch in south Texas. He enjoyed baseball, deep sea fishing, and golf. In October, 1941, he enlisted in the US Army, serving in the Anti-Aircraft Command during World War II as a radio operator on the Liberator, B-24. He fought in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Guadalcanal. He was wounded in the leg while in the Pacific Theater. After his military service, Henry attended Finlay Engineering College, in Kansas City, MO on the GI bill earning a degree as a civil engineer. He loved his work as an engineer. He was especially proud of his work as a part of the Alliance for Progress, in Santiago, Chile. This was an initiative by President Kennedy in 1961. He spent approximately 3 years designing and building hospitals, highways, schools, sewer systems, etc.
Henry is survived by his children: Daughter, Linda Bentley, (Patrick) of Mattawan, MI: Daughter, Wanda Tuman (Russell) of Bedford, Tx; Son, John Mejia of Rogers,Ar..and the mother of his children, Mildred Shafer of Rogers, AR, half-sisters Vera Rogers of Crowley, TX (Paul), Lorene Davilla of Austin, Tx.
Grandchildren: Grandson, Jason Bentley of Buffalo Grove, IL,(Edita), ., Granddaughter Jessica Rogers of Yigo, Guam, (Jim), Grandson, Michael Bentley of Kalamazoo, MI (Nicole) Grandson Justin Bentley of Pittsburgh, PA, (Lauren), Grandson, Lance Bentley of Kalamazoo, MI. and
Greatgrandchildren: Julian Bentley (Jason Bentley) Brandon Davis (Patrick Tuman) Adreonna Tuman Rogers, Mina Rogers, Augustus Rogers (Jessica Rogers) ; Aubree Bentley, Ethan Bentley, Jacob Bentley (Michael Bentley); Maverick Bentley, Cole Bentley(Justin Bentley);Samara Tuman, Quintin Clark (Jacob Tuman).
Henry had many loving nieces and nephews including Lupe Arenal, Estella Cadena, Emma Acosta, Angie Villanueva and many others.
He was preceded in death by his sister Josephine Andrade, Grandsons, Patrick and Jacob Tuman. The funeral service will be held on November 18th, 2019, at 10:15 am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.
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