Henry Clay Baskett

Henry Clay Baskett, 84, of Evansville, passed away peacefully at 1:45 AM on Monday, May 26, 2014 at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was born August 26, 1929, to the late Robert W. Baskett, Sr. and Marietta (Speer) Baskett in Detroit, MI where he lived until moving at a young age with his family to Evansville for the remainder of his life.

He graduated from Bosse High School in 1947, where he first developed his love of entertaining and acting in local productions. He attended Indiana University and Evansville College. He spent the majority of his working years in sales, having started in the family automobile business, Baskett Lincoln Mercury, where he worked with his father and older brother. He was a valued salesman at his last job at Family Christian Bookstore where he retired in 2003. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War where he served as PFC while stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge in 1953. He was a long time member of Christian Fellowship Church where his faith served as a key principle of his adult life.

He had a deep and abiding commitment to his eldest, disabled son, now deceased, with whom he spent quality time on a daily basis until his passing. His love of animals was legendary, as he was in the habit of feeding feral cats and stray dogs over the years. Making people laugh brought him great joy as did books, movies, music, the arts, and most of all, his family.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, son, James Lex Baskett; and sister, Sue Engelbrecht.

Henry is survived by his children, James Lex Baskett (deceased), Jane Baskett (Eric Crouse); grandchildren, Claire and Max; son, John S. Baskett; brother, Robert Baskett, Jr.; sisters, Jean Baskett Mehrle and Sue Engelbrecht (deceased); beloved nieces and nephews, Ellen, Amy (deceased), Nancy, John, Jean, Rob and Dan. He was fortunate to have a close connection extending to the spouses and beloved children of the nieces and nephews as well as first cousins. Nieces and family: Ellen Aleksic (Nick); children, April, Maggie, Dominic of CA; Amy Kayes (deceased) (Ken); children, Justin, Gabrielle, and Andrew of TX; Nancy Baskett; children, Brandon Waltman (Katy), Janey, and Joseph of Indianapolis; Jean Hitchock (David); children, James, Alexandra, and Katherine of Evansville; Nephews and family: John Mehrle III of IN; Robert Engelbrecht (Dorothy); children, Angie Bethel (Ted), Jack, Owen, Finn of Evansville; Mary Beth Engelbrecht, Elizabeth, Gabrielle of KY; Dan Engelbrecht (Nancy); children, Eric, Matt, Annie of Evansville; brother-in-law, Edgar Engelbrecht (deceased); cousins: Betsy Baskett and William Speer of KY.

The family would like to recognize all the staff at Riverwalk LLC where he received such kind and compassionate care for the last 11 years of his life.

Services will be 2:30 PM Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Pastor Cliff Herring, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Saturday from 11:30 AM until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vanderburgh Humane Society, United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, or the Christian Fellowship Church. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.