Frank Henrion

"I was born June 29th, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri to George

F. and Thelma L. (Feraris) Henrion. I attended Southeast high school where, in 1952, I dropped out after continuing to be told in front of my classmates I would never amount to anything in life. I went to work for my father who, in 1953, told me to join the Navy Reserve and learn something useful.

With the draft getting close, I left the Navy Reserve and enlisted in the Air Force in 1957; upon completion of training, I was assigned to Kunsan AB Korea. My following assignments were; Clinton Sherman AFB OK; Torrejon AB SP; Travis AFB CA; RAF Geilenkirchen AB Germany, where I served as the enlisted commander of the USAF Communications Detachment providing secure US communications service to the British Royal Air Force mission; Lindsay AS Germany, where I trained as a communications electronic equipment/systems program manager; Moody AFB GA; Nab Trang AB Vietnam, where I served in a highly decorated Air Force communications unit; back to Lindsay AB Germany, as the program manager responsible for reestablishing Air Force ground communications in Turkey; Oklahoma City AFS OK, as a program manager for Air Force Navigational Aid Programs in the Southern half of the United States and subsequently the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) to the Commander Southern Communications Area; Ramstein AB Germany, as a European area program manager and later the CSEL to the Commander European Communications Area; Hickam AFB HI as Director of Pacific Communications Area Programs Management; and finally Andrews AFB DC, Air Force Systems Command, where, in 1987, I was retired by Maj. General John Paul Hyde, a former commander and a member of the Joint Staff, J-06 Joint Communications.

In 1958, I obtained a GED certificate and then; graduated from Squadron Officers School correspondence course, from the Non­ Commissioned Officers Academy as the honor graduate and speech award recipient, and the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Academy, earned a Community College degree in management, a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in Information Systems from Strayer University. In 2019 I applied for and was accepted in a Doctoral Program through Northcentral University (what was I thinking!).

Upon retirement from the Air Force, I was honored by the Andrews Air Force Base Presidential Support Unit with a private tour of President's plane, Air Force 1 #27000. I had a blessed and rewarding career; medals and decorations include the Bronze Star, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Air Force Commendation Medals, 4 Outstanding Unit Awards with V device for Valor, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service medal with 3 bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and others.

In 1959, while at Clinton Sherman AFB OK I met and married Theresa Mccorkle; during that marriage we had three wonderful children Pamela, David and Paul. Unfortunately, that union ended in divorce. In 1980, during my last tour in Germany I met the love of my life and soulmate, Therese Ann Clark; we were married in 1982 and were blessed with 36 years of a magical and loving marriage. Throughout her remaining years we traveled the world from one end to the other until her premature death from cancer in 2018.

After and long and rewarding Air Force career I went to work for Computer Sciences Corp as a project manager. From there I moved on to the Federal Government as a GS-13 project manager for the Department of Commerce, next to the National Defense University as a GS-14 Technical Advisor and finally to the US Department of Justice as a GM-15.

At the National Defense University, I lead a team of briefers traveling to military activities throughout the United States presenting the Deputy Secretary of Defense's proposal on downsizing work center activities. At the Department of Justice (DOJ) my first position was Assistant Director of Security and Support Services, then a Program Manager who led a team that developed a $250 million dollar program to manage, repair and replace computer systems throughout the DOJ, a program recognized by the General Services Administration as the innovative program at that time. Eventually I moved to the Systems Technology Staff as Acting Deputy Director, where due to major health issues, I retired completely in 1998.

Upon moving to Norman Oklahoma in 2013, my lovely wife Terry and I found a second family at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman, Oklahoma. There I became a fourth degree Knight of Columbus; she joined the Auxiliary and both of us participated in several ministries including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 50 plus group, Bereavement group, Men's Morning

Group (just me), both Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters, and Core Team Members for the Diocese of Oklahoma City Capital Campaign. Prior to Terry's diagnoses with stage 4 liver cancer, we took a pilgrimage to Jerusalem which changed our lives, during 2017 we requested consideration as a couple for becoming members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem (EOHSJ). Unfortunately, before we could submit our formal request, she passed away. In 2019 I requested, through my church, consideration as a single member of EOHSJ and accepted by the Holy See for Investiture in October 2020. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic the Investiture was postponed and moved to October 2021 when I became a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher and presented the coveted Pilgrim Shell.

As a 100% disabled veteran, I was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association and the Veteran of Foreign Wars. Having said all of the above, I leave something to ponder, a part of 2 Timothy 4:5-8 ".. As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Now, I am worn out and need to focus on getting to my final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery where I will join the love of my life in eternal rest in Section 57, grave 1025.

Frank is survived by three children: Pamela Dawn (PD) Henrion; David Scott Henrion and his wife Sherri; Paul Scott Henrion and his wife Paulann; eight grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, May 6th at 11 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 3939 W. Tecumseh Rd, Norman OK. Rosary service will take place on Monday, May 5th at 6 p.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with Military Honors with Escort, where Frank will rest with his loving wife Terry. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Norm.an OK, St Vincent de Paul Society, in memory of Frank's wife, Terry.