H. Wayne "Paps" Potter

Henry Wayne Potter, also lovingly known as Paps to his family, was born on September 4, 1943, in Jefferson County, Birmingham, Alabama. He passed away on January 21, 2024, and is now marching in the army of the Lord in heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents, George & Jessie Mae Green Oaks and Henry Ford & Sue Potter. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Victoria Hinds Potter, and their children, Ryan Wayne & wife Celeste Potter, and Robin Nicole & husband Justin Cavanaugh. His grandchildren Christopher & wife Hailey Cavanaugh, Cheyenne Cavanaugh & fiancé Maddux Conger, Cambrie Cavanaugh, Jordan & wife Maddie Valle, Christian Valle, Jade Valle, and Cyrus Valle. His great-grandchildren Justin W. Cavanaugh, Osiris Valle, Silas Valle, and many other family and friends.

H. Wayne Potter was a man of many accomplishments and a true inspiration to all who knew him. He was a legend, a hero, and the heart and soul of his family. He lived his life with a deep love for God, his family, his community, and his country. He never failed to encourage others to trust in God despite the circumstances. He would remind us to keep our faith and that we were never alone because God is always with us. Paps cherished his wife, Vickie, and was overjoyed when their son Ryan and daughter Robin were born. As his family grew, he just kept wrapping us all in hugs and would pray every day for as long as he could, for each and every one of us. He volunteered his time at his church by attending Sunday school classes, ushering, and working on their security team. His favorite day of the week was Sunday. He said, because of church, family, and football.

Despite facing a career-ending injury during his time as a defensive tackle at Jacksonville State University, he did not let that stop him from achieving his dreams. He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1966 and worked hard to earn a degree in Business Administration from Samford University in 1969. His dedication and commitment led him to serve in various roles, including his initial assignment with the 426 Engineer Brigade in Birmingham, Alabama, and his transfer to 121 Arcom, where he worked as a Chaplain's Assistant. After he was transferred to Texas with his family in 1977, he was assigned to the 75th M.A.C. in Houston, where he served as a Recruiter for the Active and Reserve Army and worked as an S-1 NCO. He served his country with distinction and received several prestigious awards throughout his military career. One of his proudest achievements was when Governor George Wallace presented him with the Enlisted Soldier of the Year award for Alabama's largest Reserve Command 121 ARCOM. After dedicating 28 years to serving his country, the E-9 Sergeant Major retired from his military career on December 8, 1995. With an honorable discharge, he left behind a legacy of selflessness, discipline, and leadership.

He went on to achieve remarkable success in his professional life. Through hard work, he earned the titles of Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) and Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.). His dedication and leadership skills led him to serve on the board of directors and as the chair of the Petroleum Group within N.A.P.M.- Houston. He was honored to serve as President of the National Association of Purchasing Management and to be a board member of the National Petroleum Group. During his career, he managed several companies, including Sonat, Damson, and Marathon Oil, from 1971 to 1999. He continued to contribute to the industry as a Supply Chain Consultant for major corporations such as BP, Shell, Exxon, and The 17th Floor.

As a proud Master Mason of the Milton H. Fies Lodge in Alabama, he believed in the doctrine of providing aid and assistance to those in need, striving to better oneself, and being a positive force in the community and the world. He considered this to be his purpose in life and demonstrated it through his hard work and dedication as the only way to achieve success. His story is a reminder that with perseverance and determination, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our goals.

To say that he will be missed is an enormous understatement. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His hugs, smile, laugh, and way of saying the right thing we needed to hear will always be remembered. He was an avid coffee drinker, and if you asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee, he would always respond with, "Anytime!" He was also known for his sayings, such as "Tolerable," when asked how he was feeling. Or he would say "Fair to Midland" when asked how he was doing. When we expressed, "It's so good to see you," his response was always, "It's good to be seen." His sense of humor often left Vickie confused. For example, when he would say, "When push comes to shove," she would ask, "Well, what does that mean?" He would look at her and smirk. She still is not sure what that means. But the best memories involve when we would tell him, "I love you." And he without fail, would say, "I love you more."

Although he is no longer with us, his spirit and his legacy live on. Paps cherished our family traditions, and we are determined to honor them. We know he is no longer in pain, and for that, we are grateful. He will be remembered for his infectious smile, his unwavering love for his family, and his commitment to serving others. We honor him by upholding the values he instilled in us and by striving to be the best versions of ourselves. Thank you, Paps, for inspiring us all to live our lives with purpose and passion.

Saturday, January 27, 2024 starting at 1pm, all services will be held at Calvary Hill Funeral Home,

21723 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

A celebration of life will occur 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

A committal will full military honors will occur from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM.

A reception will occur following the committal from 3:30 to 5pm.

In lieu of flowers you are invited to donate to "New Creation Ministries", either by sending through Zelle to Newcreation13.gr@gmail or by mailing to P.O. Box 1525, New Caney, TX 77357.