Henry (Hank) T. Cable Jr.

Henry (Hank) Thomas Cable Jr., 87, born in Nampa, Idaho July 1, 1923 to Henry and Alice (Sanders) Cable, exchanged his failing earthly body for the glorified body the Lord promises each of us who accept his free gift of eternal life. Henry (Hank) has served as a Deacon of Bible Believers Baptist Church in Union Gap, WA., under Pastor Jim Martin. Hank studied, learned, believed and accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. This is the perfect peace we have, knowing where he is, 1 John 5 KJV.

Henry loved his own and extended family, his church family, his friends, his students from 31 years of teaching Industrial Arts and his wife of 65 years.

Wife Della, and Hank were both raised in Hood River, OR where brother Dale said Hank was “The Best”. They stayed friends and brothers through this earthly life, now, they are together again, along with loved ones who have gone before. Hank is the last of his immediate family, having been preceded in death by his sister Betty Beverly (Cable) DeBoer, December 30, 2007.

Hank believed Life and Death are companions, before Hank passed on February 24, 2011, the last of his 9 great grandchildren, Miles Henry Shinn, had been born the 5th day of this same month. He carries on great grandpa Hank’s name as does his father, Michael Thomas Shinn. We are blessed. That is the joy Hank shared with our whole family at the birth of our daughters, Judy Larene and Jerri Joanne. Their marriages to Thomas J. Chambers and Sherwin Rex Shinn was the beginning of Hank’s “Big Wonderful Family” as grandson Joe referred to our groups, which along with lots of the cousins, meet at Chambers, Barney Reunions, Priest Lake and other places.

Hank’s joys included the marriages of all five of our grandchildren and Renee Chambers, our adopted granddaughter. We now have nine greats and Renee’s two boys, also our greats. Rob and Jolie have Spencer and Alanna, our first. Jana and Ashif have Siyana and Zariya. Tom Jr. and Kirsten have daughter Rylee. Joe and Fabi have Kai, Zak, and Zkan. Mike and Tami have Miles Henry. Renee and Tony have Keegan and Giovani.

Hank taught here in Wapato after the family moved from Pullman where he graduated with streams of other returning veterans. Hank served just short of four years in the Navy during World War II. His ship, the USS Pensacola, was involved in every major battle of the Pacific Theater. Termed the “Grey Ghost” it was reported sunk 13 times. It was eventually sunk off the coast of Washington State, too radioactive to use again. Hank and Della were married June 1, 1945 in Eugene, OR before the war was over. Judy was born in Hood River, OR, Jerri was born in Colfax, WA after the family moved to Pullman for Hank to attend WSC, now WSU.

We, his family, think it is a testimony to his years of teaching school that his boys, and a few girls, still come to see him, come as EMTs to take him to emergency each time they are needed; yell “Hi Hank!” from across rooms, halls, parking lots, or wherever. Several have elected to become teachers of Industrial Arts, including one who is now Wapato’s Shop Teacher, I believe.

Hank Cable will be missed and long remembered by all those who cared that his was a long life well lived. A wonderful big basket, a terrarium of plants and flowers, as well as a dozen Peace roses just arrived as I wrote this. We, Hank’s family, thank all of you, giving voice to one now silent.

Visiting hours will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. Funeral services will be held at the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel, Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Concluding services and burial will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park with full military honors conducted by members of William Wharton Post #379, VFW and the Washington State National Guard. If desired memorial contributions may be made to International Smile Power 704 – 228th Ave. NE #204 Sammamish, WA 98074 or online at www.smilepower.org or to a charity of your choice. For an online guest book and to celebrate the life of Hank visit. www.keithandkieth.com.