Henry K Witherspoon

Henry Kollock Witherspoon, Jr. (Better known as “H” or Bumpy), 86, died peacefully on December 13, 2010 from complications of pneumonia, surrounded by his family. He was born on August 20, 1924 to Henry Kollock Witherspoon, Sr. and Grace Bunn in Raleigh, N.C. where he lived during his childhood. As a youth, he was active in the Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

“H” graduated from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh and attended NC State University where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After attending NC State, he joined the Army Air Force during WW II. Shortly afterwards he met a beautiful blonde debutante, Jane Winston, who swept him off his feet. They were married on October 2, 1948.

“H” went to work for A.E. Finley Equipment Co. and then moved to Jacksonville where he started Gateway Paving Co. He later joined Shands and Baker which became Florida Rock Industries where he was a Vice President, retiring in 2000.

“H” was a former member of the downtown Rotary Club, President of the Fla. Lime Rock Institute, a member of the Old Raleigh Boys, the Florida Yacht Club, the 200 Club, and the Ortega Dove Club. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Dignity U Wear. He was a communicant of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where he served as an usher and a member of the Friday Men’s Group and Wednesday Bible Study. At age 79, he attended Cursillo and his spiritual life was changed.

“H” loved fishing, hunting, and making new friends. He was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor. He was such a people person and never met a stranger. He was loved by so many and will be missed by all who knew him.

“H” is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jane Winston, his daughter, Anne Witherspoon Beard (Franklin), grandsons Cameron Winston Beard, Franklin Russell Beard, Jr. (Marcela), Dallas, TX. and their children, great grandsons Franklin Russell Beard, III and William Henry Beard, his sister, Becky Bunn House, Tucson, AZ, brothers-in-law, James H. Winston, Charles M. Winston (Flo) Raleigh, N.C., and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of “H’s“ life will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 11:00 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue, followed by a reception at the Florida Yacht Club. A private burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, St. Mark’s Day School or the Humane Society.