Kristi Elkins Henry

Kristi Elkins Henry, beloved wife, musician, business owner, archivist, and friend, passed away on June 3, 2026, in the Year of Our Lord, at the age of 56.

Born on November 5, 1969, in Fort Worth, Texas, Kristi was the daughter of the late Gerald Elkins and Judy Elkins. From an early age, she displayed an exceptional intellect, a love of learning, and a passion for music that would shape the course of her life.

Above all, Kristi was a woman of deep Christian faith. She loved Jesus Christ on a personal level and sought to live her life according to His teachings. Her faith was not simply something she professed but the foundation upon which she built her life, her relationships, and her service to others. Those who knew her experienced her kindness, generosity, compassion, and steadfast trust in God.

Kristi graduated from Crowley High School in Crowley, Texas, where she proudly served as Drum Major of the Mighty Eagle Band. A gifted musician, she performed on both the bass clarinet and contrabass clarinet and developed a lifelong devotion to music and music education.

She continued her education at the University of Texas at Arlington, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History. Her commitment to preserving knowledge and history led her to earn a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina.

Throughout her distinguished professional career, she achieved numerous respected credentials, including Certified Archivist through The Academy of Certified Archivists, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) through ISACA, and Certified Records Manager through the Institute of Certified Records Managers.

Kristi's professional accomplishments were matched only by her entrepreneurial spirit and love of music. She was the owner and operator of The Bandwagon Music Store & Repair and Orion Musical Instruments, Inc.

Through these businesses, she served generations of musicians, students, educators, schools, churches, and performing organizations. Her expertise, integrity, and dedication earned her the trust and respect of countless customers and colleagues throughout the musical community.

Music remained one of Kristi's greatest passions throughout her life. For many years, she was an active member of several community ensembles, including the Fort Worth City Band, the Granbury Community Band, and the German Band of North Texas. Whether performing on bass clarinet or contrabass clarinet, she found great joy in sharing music with fellow musicians and audiences throughout the region. As The Bandwagon Music Store & Repair and Orion Musical Instruments continued to grow, the increasing demands of the businesses she loved eventually required her full attention. Though she was no longer able to actively perform with her community bands, she remained deeply connected to the musical community through her work, helping countless musicians pursue their own musical journeys.

Kristi was known for her intelligence, determination, generosity, and willingness to help others. Whether assisting a student in selecting an instrument, repairing a musician's treasured equipment, preserving important records, mentoring colleagues, or sharing her love of music, she approached every endeavor with enthusiasm and excellence. Her faith guided her actions, and she sought to reflect Christ's love in the way she treated everyone she encountered.

She dearly loved the many pets she cared for throughout her life, and they brought her great joy, companionship, and comfort.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jeffrey L. Henry; her sister, Anita Lamar; and numerous extended family members, friends, colleagues, musicians, educators, and students whose lives were enriched by her friendship, wisdom, encouragement, and kindness.

Kristi was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald Elkins and Judy Elkins.

Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the businesses she built, the records she helped preserve, the musicians she encouraged, and the music she shared. She will be remembered for her remarkable intellect, unwavering faith, entrepreneurial vision, dedication to her profession, passion for music, and the love she gave so freely to family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Laurel Land Funeral Home & Cemetery, 7100 Crowley Road, Fort Worth, Texas.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Laurel Land Funeral Home & Cemetery, followed by a graveside service at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance, gratitude, and celebration of a life lived with purpose, achievement, faith, and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a music education program, scholarship fund, or pet shelter in Kristi's memory.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

Though her earthly song has ended, she now joins the heavenly chorus in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The melody of her life will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.