James "Jim" Kenneth Henry

James "Jim" Kenneth Henry, 94, left this world on November 5, 2026, to be reunited with his beloved wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Daley Henry. It was a reunion he had long anticipated. Reflecting on Jackie's passing in 2009, Jim wrote, "I take comfort in the belief that one day we will be together again."

Born December 10, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Sylvester George and Marie Gary Henry, Jim grew up during the Great Depression, learning early the values of hard work, perseverance, and family. After graduating from Ursuline High School, he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War era, including a year at a remote radar outpost in Alaska. He later earned an accounting degree from Youngstown College, working his way through school, and went on to become a Certified Public Accountant.

While working at an A&P grocery store in 1956, Jim happened to look up from behind the dairy counter and spotted a familiar face walking down the aisle. It was Jackie Daley, whom he had known since childhood but hadn't seen in years. As he later recalled, he was immediately smitten. He found her family's telephone number, called to ask her on a date, and began a love story that would shape the rest of his life. They married on January 26, 1957, and shared 52 years together before Jackie's passing on Valentine's Day in 2009.

Together, Jim and Jackie raised nine children: Teresa, David, Steven, Mary, Mark, Susan, Scott, Jason, and Keith. Family was, quite simply, the center of Jim's universe. Raising nine children required hard work, resourcefulness, and no small amount of sacrifice. Jim had little interest in material things for himself, choosing instead to devote his time, energy, and resources to the people he loved most.

Life in the Henry household was busy, sometimes chaotic, and filled with laughter. Jim was quiet and thoughtful by nature, with a dry, understated sense of humor. He coached his children's sports teams, shared his love of baseball, and was a steady, loving presence in their lives. A lifelong Cleveland Indians fan, he remained loyal to his team through decades of triumphs and, mostly, disappointments.

Family vacations were rarely extravagant. More often, they involved all eleven Henrys piling into an enormous green-and-white Dodge van for overnight drives to North Carolina beaches or to visit relatives in Ohio. Children slept wherever they could find room-on seats, on the floor, and in every available corner-while Jim sat behind the wheel, guiding his family through the night. There were no exotic destinations or luxurious accommodations, but those journeys created memories more precious than any lavish vacation could have offered. In many ways, that image of Jim behind the wheel captures the essence of the man: quietly and steadfastly devoted to his family, with a sense of humor that helped make the journey as memorable as the destination.

Jim's Catholic faith was another cornerstone of his life. A deeply religious man, he was actively involved in his church communities throughout the years, generously volunteering his time and talents in a variety of roles, including bookkeeping. His faith was reflected not only in his devotion to the Church but also in the way he lived his life.

Jim enjoyed a long career in accounting and financial management, including leadership positions at Scovill and Fowler Contracting. His work took the family from Ohio to North Carolina and Connecticut before he and Jackie eventually returned to the Raleigh area. He retired in 1999.

After Jackie's passing, Jim continued to draw strength from his faith and his family. In an autobiography he wrote for his children and future generations, he reflected on his life with characteristic humility and gratitude: "I have had a long and good life. I thank God daily for the many blessings I have received. And I am especially thankful for a loving and caring family."

Jim's greatest legacy is the family he and Jackie built together. He is survived by his nine children, 19 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, with more on the way, and his sister, Joan. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, his humor, his unwavering faith, and, above all, his extraordinary devotion to his family. The family that was always the center of his world continues to grow, carrying forward the love and values that meant so much to him.

And after more than seventeen years apart, Jim and Jackie are together again.

A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, Apex, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be donated to Catholic Parish Outreach in Raleigh

https://www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/donate/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared below within “Add a Memory” for the Henry family.