Joseph Andrew Henry

Joseph "Joe" Andrew Henry, Jr. began his life's journey in Richards, Texas on May 19, 1929. He was the eldest child born to Ellee Kingsberry Henry and Joseph Henry, Sr. His family moved to Houston, Texas, and he began his education at Lucky and Douglas Elementary Schools, graduating from Jack Yates High School in 1948. Joe's passion was sports, particularly football, which he excelled in at Jack Yates as Quarterback. He continued his passion for football making a name for himself as Quarterback at Prairie View A and M College of Texas, majoring in Education. Upon graduating from Prairie View in 1952, he was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean War until 1954. Returning home, Joe married Dolris Smith of Amarillo, TX, and to that union one daughter, Cheryl Lynn, was born, whom he affectionately called "Punkin". His career began at The Hester House Community Center in Fifth Ward, where he was a Counselor/Tutor/Coach for four years. His first teaching assignment was Harper Junior High School. Evan E. Worthing High School opened in January of 1958 with Coach Joe Henry as its first Head Football coach. He later went on to receive a Master's Degree in Counseling at Prairie View University. Thereafter, he moved to Booker T. Washington High School where he was instrumental in the team's winning season in 1968, having no loses until they got to State. He returned to Prairie View as an Assistant Coach for several years but came back to HISD but came back to HISD's Lamar High School where he continued working with young people. It did not matter to him the title: Coach, Counselor, Assistant Principal, he would always be "Coach" to his students. Joe's love for football and all things "Sports" would carry him on through life. Regardless of positions, he would always find a way to coach, striving to mold characters, developing minds and winning teams. Coach Henry retired as Assistant Principal in 1994 from Jesse H. Jones High School after 40 years of service in Education. He was rewarded for his impact both on and off the field by being inducted into Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996 and Texas High School Coaches Association. He touched many young men's lives teaching them the importance of team work, hard work and encouraging them in developing their skills. Joe's second passion was working and developing the family farm passed down from his parents and their siblings. He took great pride in training his grandson Joseph how to work the land and caring for the cattle. Joe often came in contact with former athletes and students who would recall him with wonderful heartfelt memories. He received so much joy from those impromptu meetings. Job Well Done, Coach Henry! At an early age, Joseph professed his faith in Jesus Christ and was a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church for many years. It was there in 2000 that he met and married his wife, Geneva Anderson. Loved ones to cherish his memory are his wife, Geneva Henry, Daughter Cheryl "Punkin" Henry Hunt, his only Sibling, Otis Virese Henry, Grandson Joseph Scott all of Houston, TX; Great-Granddaughter Jakayla Scott of Memphis, TN; Extended Children: Daughter Tomara Anderson and Granddaughters Milicent Neveu and Faith Moses, Grandson Bryant Moses all of Beaumont, TX; Extended Son Marcus Wayne Lewis of Houston, TX; Three Sisters-In-Law, two Brothers-In-Law, and a host of Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, and Friends.