John B. Henley

He was born on the 16th of September, 1945 in Charlotte to the late John Henry Henley and Clarice Williams Henley.

John attended Charlotte city schools and graduated from West Mecklenburg High School with the class of 1963. As a 17 year old high school graduate, John snuck his way into basic training, officially marking the start of his Air Force career.

While at basic training, John followed the rules and requested permission from his commanding officer to marry the love of his life, Evelyn “Carol” Solomon. Permission was granted, so 17-year-old John and 15-year-old Carol wed on the 13th of July, 1963 at a small chapel in York, SC.

Before too long, John was forced to leave his beautiful bride at home and set out to courageously serve his country. During his military career, John served 2 tours in Vietnam and spent time stationed in Turkey and Taiwan, as well as at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette, MI and Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC. Shaw AFB was the last base he lived on before moving back to Charlotte for good.

John was very close with Carol’s father, Lt. Col. Robert Brooks, who was also in the Air Force and undoubtedly had a major influence on him and his military career. During John’s 23 years of service, he was so dedicated that he only missed one single day - to attend his father’s funeral. He officially retired from the Air Force in 1986 as a Technical Sergeant.

John’s military retirement lasted all of two weeks before his stepfather, Howard McCord, introduced him to a man named Ronald Godfrey. Mr. Godfrey owned and operated the Charlotte HVAC business ‘PC Godfrey’ and John soon went to work for him. What John thought was just casual work turned into 39 years of loyal employment as Supervisor over the sheet metal shop. Over the years, John grew to consider everyone at PC Godfrey as his family.

Though his experience in the military was quite different from his experience at PC Godfrey, there were common themes that presented themselves. John was always humble and quiet about his accomplishments, never one to brag. He was also inherently serious and devoted to his work, no matter what the task at hand was. Anyone he worked with quickly realized that there were two ways to do things: John’s way and the wrong way.

After decades of hard work and an incredible work ethic, John finally retired for good on the 31st of August, 2021. Sadly, the typical joys of retirement were short lived, because John was diagnosed with stomach and pancreatic cancer one week later.

John had many hobbies throughout his life, namely golfing, especially with his friend Robert Honeycutt, and racing, until Dale Earnhardt died, as well as watching NFL games and other professional league sports. John also enjoyed settling in to watch The Andy Griffith Show, and one of his favorite activities was spending time with friends and doing “man stuff” at the VFW with his grandson - his side kick - Chase. Additionally, John dedicated a lot of his time to his Masonic duties and took his vow of secrecy very seriously.

He was known to have a quiet, tough exterior with most people - they saw hardworking, overly punctual John who was an unfailing man of his word. While those traits were absolute core parts of his personality, once someone made their way into his inner circle, he allowed them to see his softer, more tender, loving side. This gentle side of John liked to watch romantic movies, especially on the Hallmark channel, and dote on his sweet little Yorkie, Sophie.

John was especially a softie for his favorite woman, his sweet Carol. When she sustained a difficult injury in March of 2021, John instantly assumed the role of dedicated caregiver. He spent every minute he could with her, and when they weren’t together, he spent his time thinking about the next time he could be with her.

Carol and John spent much of 2021 caring for each other. First, John tending to Carol after her injury, and then Carol looking after John following his cancer diagnosis. The last weeks of John’s life were tough, for him and all those around him, and while his family is utterly heartbroken, they are comforted with the knowledge that he is home with the Lord.

Those left to honor John’s memory include his loving wife of 60 years, Carol Henley; his beautiful, special daughters, Pam Gavurnik (Randy), Diane McAlpine (David), and Kelly Griffin (Jason); his treasured grandchildren, Danielle Mahoney (Matthew), Brandon McAlpine (Brianna), and Chase Griffin (Caelin); his sweet great-grandbaby, Brantley McAlpine; as well as numerous other loving relatives and friends.

John has been reunited in Heaven with his father, John Henley; his mother, Clarice Henley McCord; his step-father, Howard McCord; and his big brother, Tommy Henley.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the Henley family from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, the 16th of October, 2021 at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive in Charlotte. Following the visitation, there will be a funeral service at 2:00 PM in the Paul Helton Hall at the funeral home. John will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn West Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to Gaston Hospice or Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute.

The Henley family would like to give a big ‘thank you’ to Marla Ivester with Gaston Hospice for going above and beyond to give John and his family the comfort and support they needed at the end of John’s life.