Henry A. Shropshire

If you asked a hundred people why Henry Albert Shropshire Jr. was called Big Al, you'd get several different reasons. A big family man. A big giver. A big Cadillac enthusiast. A big negotiator. A big dapper dresser. A bigger-than-life demeanor.

Albert was all of these things and more. A Go-Getter. He was born in Indianapolis, IN, on May 30, 1936, to Father Henry Albert Shropshire Sr. and Mother Mamie Shropshire. He was the youngest with four sisters, still acting as the "big brother," taking on as the man of the house, looking after others, and finding a way to make a way. Before being proclaimed "Big Al," he made a big name in wrestling when he won the 1954 IHSAA State Wrestling Championship. He also made the record for the quickest pin. After the championship wrestling tournament, one of Albert's opponents was terrified to go home without a win. Albert gave his opponent his state championship medal, saying, "It means more to you than it does to me.", a true testament to the big giver he was. After 1954 and as a teenager, Albert moved out on his own and began dating the love of his life, Barbara-Jean "Plookie" Broadus.

Albert and Barbara married on December 14, 1957. During their union of over 64 years, they raised four children Gina, Natalie, Henry Albert III, and Carmen. Albert loved his family, and he and Barbara often opened their home to host holiday gatherings, bar-b-ques, and impromptu family socials. These gatherings are where you could catch him enjoying one of his favorite meals, which usually consisted of anything his wife prepared, and drinking a Heineken. As a lover of sweets, chocolate cake was his dessert of choice.

Albert worked at General Motors, where he retired after 30 years. But being the true go-getter he was, he was instrumental in creating and implementing what we knew as "The Ticket House" in Indianapolis. Albert loved watching sports, driving one of his five black Cadillacs, his trained Bouvier dogs, and visiting The Masterpiece. He was known for being fashionable, wearing his favorite designer shoes, Bally's. He was always willing to help someone in need and was never one to hold a grudge. Big Al and Barbara loved to travel and visited New Orleans, New York, and Las Vegas—where they attended some of the greatest boxing matches. Las Vegas is also where he met and had lunch with Muhammed Ali, "The Champ." Albert loved some jazz, especially Indiana's Freddie Hubbard and Wes Montgomery.

Henry, Albert "Big Al" Shropshire Jr, was preceded in death by his Father, Henry Albert Senior, Mother, Mamie, his sisters, Shirley, Gloria, Marian, Donna, and his daughter Gina (Shropshire) Suggs. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean, and his remaining three children, Natalie Jones, Henry Albert III, Carmen Shropshire, and Mike Suggs (son-in-law). Also, his grandchildren Ashley (Deonte) Smith, Jodi (Justin) Kirk, Brittany Jones, and Cameron Brooks, as well as seven great-grandchildren.

There are so many reasons he was called Big Al— and all of equal importance. All attempts to capture the essence of what Albert symbolized for so many—the staple of black fatherhood and black excellence.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crownhill.org for the Shropshire family.