James A. Henrie

James A. Henrie, age 89 of Covington, La., died on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Born June 12, 1937 in Houston, Tex., to Frank James Henrie and Helen Bryant Henrie. He is survived by son Patrick Fitzjames Henrie (Angie), former daughter-in-law, Sandra Lofe Henrie, granddaughters Krista Henrie Egan, Kayla Henrie Floss and great granddaughter Sydney Blaire Egan. He is also survived by long-time companion, Judith Georger Terese. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 49 years, Linda Laine Henrie, daughter Toni Rebecca Burns (John), father Frank James Henrie, his mother Helen Rebecca Henrie, and his brother, Brian Jeffry Henrie. Although born in Houston, Tex., he was reared and educated in the New Orleans area. Mr. Henrie served as a public relations/public affairs officer for many years both within government and private industry. His most cherished and rewarding professional experience was while serving as public affairs officer with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His NASA service began at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans where he began working in the U.S. Apollo Manned Lunar Landing Program. He continued serving with NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., and the NASA-Mississippi Test Facility, Hancock County, Miss. He felt extremely honored to serve on several NASA special assignments, including working at the NASA-Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Tex., and aboard primary recovery ships during the Apollo missions. His most rewarding experiences included serving as a special assistant to Dr. Wernher von Braun. At the urging of many friends and associates, Mr. Henrie authored and had published a short story highlighting some of the more interesting events that occurred during his tenure with NASA. The title of his book is “NASA, Behind-the-Scenes Snippets, An Anecdotal Story. Following his NASA service, he volunteered to served as president of the Hancock County (Mississippi) Tourism and Gaming Association (T&G), which resulted in the passage of Mississippi’s first legalized gaming election. Although not a gambler himself, he recognized that at the time there was an industry ready and willing to come to Mississippi and had the resources to significantly impact Mississippi’s continuing poverty cycle. He recognized, here was an industry that would hire individuals who possessed less than a college education, and within a minimal training period would produce productive, income-earning workers, and so it did. After retirement he continued his public affairs services, during and following national disasters, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). His activities included news writing related to FEMA’s disaster recovery activities, followed by serving FEMA as a Hazard Mitigation Specialist. Among his several volunteer activities relating to community development, he takes particular pride in his service as president of the Hancock County (Mississippi) Historical Society. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 1-3pm. A graveside service will follow at All Saints Mausoleum within Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Louisiana, PO Box 740321, New Orleans, LA 70174, or online at http://www.humanela.org/.