Julio Ricardo Henriquez passed away on December 31, 2020, at the age of 84, surrounded by his family and loved ones. A golden heart stopped beating and hardworking hands were laid to rest. He left this world for the banquet halls of eternity.
Julio was born in Key West, Florida, on June 9, 1936. He was one of five children born to Rafael and Frances Henriquez. While growing up in Key West he was a four sport varsity letter winner and voted most athletic in his junior and senior years of high school. The highlight of his senior year was his baseball team winning the State Championship with Julio as catcher behind the plate. In honor of his leadership, they bronzed his catcher’s mitt.
Julio had a full scholarship to Stetson University in both baseball and in football, but he opted to sign with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955. Unfortunately, a back injury ended his professional baseball career early.
Later that year, he joined the United States Air Force. This gave him the opportunity to serve his country, travel the world, and most importantly, meet the love of his life, Teresa Alba Pupator. On November 10, 1957 they were married in Istanbul, Turkey, while he was stationed at Shile Air Force Base.
Julio knew from the day he met Teresa, that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, however, he did not know how adventurous their life would be together. They traveled the world to many overseas bases including Turkey, Germany, Spain, and England, and several other stateside bases. He proudly served his country with honors, deployed for a year during the Vietnam War, and above all loved his wife and three daughters.
In 1983, after successfully serving his country for 27 years, he retired from the Air Force. He went on to work for Lockheed for the next 15 years. In the summer of 2000 he decided to devote the remainder of his life to his family. This would include passing on his passion for baseball to his grandsons. He showed his devotion and support through accompanying them to the World Series in Puerto Rico, the USA Junior Olympics, and many other sporting events. He was able to see the fruits of all his labor and love which included seeing all of his grandkids graduating college, one of his grandsons drafted by the Los Angeles Angels, seeing one of his grandsons continue on his military legacy, and seeing his granddaughters embrace a love for other cultures as they served around the world on mission’s trips.
Julio and Teresa loved to travel with their children and grandchildren. Some of his favorite times include teaching his grandkids to be a “scratch” golfer like he was, being around a roulette table with his family, sharing a glass of wine while reminiscing about his big casino wins, highlighted by his good fortune of being dealt a Royal Flush in a game of Texas Hold ‘em.
He was a devout Catholic and faithful servant of God throughout his life and an example of great faith to all who knew him. He was a dedicated husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend. Julio’s love for his family and life was apparent to everyone he knew and every life he touched.
Julio is survived by his beloved wife, Teresa; his three daughters and their respective spouses: Katherine Walsh (Michael), Cynthia Atherton (William), Linda Miossec and Jonathan Riggs, eight grandchildren, Jessica LeFlore (Jason), Christopher Walsh, Joseph Atherton (Ali), Anthony Walsh (Rachel), David Walsh, Jonathan Walsh (Joanna), Michael Atherton (JoAnna), and Meghan Atherton, along with nine great grandchildren, Gavin and Bennett Walsh, Lyla and Ford Walsh, Joshua and Jaisa LeFlore, Camden and Copelynn Atherton, and Griffin Walsh, born hours after his passing, his brother Armando Henriquez and wife Judith, his sister Juanita Rodriguez and all his many nieces and nephews and cousins, and too many friends to count.
Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00pm, Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Foust and Son Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be 2:00pm, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 180 Samuel Blvd., Coppell, TX 75019
Burial will follow at Rolling Oaks Cemetery.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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