“PAWPAW” ERWIN LEE “PINKEY” HENSLEY,
Beloved Husband, Father, Stepfather, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Dive Buddy, Soldier and Friend
March 10th, 1939 – May 27th, 2021
Farewell to my love…to my husband, my dive buddy, my travel companion, my best friend. He passed as he lived; on his own terms and in his own time, at peace and surrounded by his loving family. For him, life had lost its flavor so he left willingly, gazing into our eyes as he gently sailed away from us on his final voyage. My arms are empty but my heart is full with memories and thankful that he has found the peaceful reward he so deserved. I only hope that I and all of my loved ones can finish our days in the same, soft way.
Our PawPaw did not want anyone to make a fuss; we will all be meeting up with him again anyway, just as he is meeting up with Grandpa Irving, Grandma Tuck, Grandpa Delbert and his older brother, Don. For PawPaw, life was about living and he did make the most of it in his 82 years on this planet. As a young man he learned to scuba dive, which became his lifelong sport. Travel was his passion and together we shared the wonders of the sea and the cultures of the world. There will be no funeral service, but when the time is right our family will carry out his last wishes by laying his ashes to rest at sea in blue water while celebrating his life on a grand vacation.
To his dear friends in Dixieland Divers, you all meant so much to him, even though we have been isolated over the past year with the Covid threat and by his deteriorating health. He thought of you often and was so happy to see Margie and Bruce near the end of his time here. Pinkey had hoped to get back to joining everyone for “Oyster Monday” but he can’t make it so we will have to eat a dozen for him now. Special good byes to Melvin & Bonnie; Carol; Dan; Margie and Bruce!
To his friends and fellow workers at Riverbend Station in St. Francisville, he wished you all a fond farewell. He remembered the fishing trips, parties, and camaraderie over the many years he worked and taught there in radiation safety prior to his retirement. Special good byes to Leland & Monica!
To his coworkers at Brown’s Ferry, T.V.A., “Mr. Pinkey” frequently recalled the wild parties of his younger days, the whitewater rafting and fishing trips, and those special friends he kept in touch with over the many years since we moved to Louisiana in 1985. A special good bye to Cathy!
To all of the “Old Timers” at the Nevada Test Site, he had such fond memories of the “good old days” in the desert; living in Las Vegas and Indian Springs while working in radiation safety. He remembered escorting our astronauts as they trained for the first moon mission, and riding in low-flying helicopters while tracking radioactive plumes from underground tests. A special good bye to Ted & Genery!
Our dear PawPaw has gone ahead to make heavenly reservations for his family. He will be joined later by his wife, Cheryl; his daughter and son in law, Lara & David Lewis; his son and daughter in law, Justin & Windy Hensley; his step-son and daughter in law, Travis and Alexandra Redding; his grandchildren, Nathan Hensley; D.J. Lewis; Abby Lewis; Mea Hensley; Niya Hensley; Angel Hensley and Katherine Horner. He is also reserving space for his sister and brother in law, Barbara & Steve Bolling; his aunt and Uncle, Selba & Bob Hill and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
“ PawPaw” was a good man and well loved.
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