Henry Irving Falconer III

Henry Irving Falconer III of Placerville, California, died on August 30, 2018 at Alex G. Spanos Cardiac and Vascular Center, Sacramento, California as a result of complications from open heart surgery. “Hank” was born in Trona, California on August 12, 1942. At 76 years old he continued to exhibit an indomitable spirit. To all who knew and loved him, he always rendered a handsome smile on his face, a quick quip on his lips, a song in his heart, and a tool for any project.

Family life in Trona was brief before moving to Trinidad, California and finally to Oak Park in Sacramento where Hank attended Strawberry Lane and Ethel Phillips Elementary Schools. He attended Stanford Junior High School, and lastly, graduated from Sacramento High School. He enrolled in classes at Sacramento City College with a focus on refrigeration. All the while, his incredible athleticism and love of baseball throughout his school years kept him dedicated to many youth and city baseball leagues. At the age of 19, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a right-handed hitting shortstop and played 6 months for the farm team. At the age of 22, he was drafted again, but this time by the Armed Forces and served a 3-year tour of duty in the United States Navy on the USS Graffias. He later attended trade school to become a daytime machinist following in line with his father. He joined the Millwrights Union working over 12 years while entertaining at nightclubs 4 and 5 nights a week. Lastly, he became proficient at his work refurbishing sculptures for Bennett Gallery.

As a charismatic entertainer/musician and self-taught guitarist since his Navy tour of duty in the 1960s, Hank moved through Bay Area venues to include The Tourney Room of the Hyatt House in Burlingame, Sebastian’s in Belmont and Coach & Six in Menlo Park to name just a few. In Sacramento, he crooned at The Senator Hotel, The Palomino Room, and The Palace at Sutter Creek. As a duo, he and Darcy Brady dazzled listeners at The Carousel Lounge and The Trotter Room. Early on, he performed in Hawaii with Don Ho. His latest ventures included Placerville hotspots and, notably, Poor Red’s in El Dorado where as a bartender and part-time performer he was a well known fixture for nearly 18 years.

Hank’s other passionate pastimes included anything outdoors such as, but not limited to: hunting anything, baseball, golf, boating or floating, waterskiing, open water diving, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, fishing, and yard sales ... you name it. He was a member of The American Legion along with the The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He also rode and entertained as a member of The Reno Sierra Riders, The Sonoma County Trail Blazers, and The Rancheros Visitadores. He appreciated nature and had a deep desire to learn its secrets. Thus, he aspired to become a Padi Certified Open Water Diver. A mechanical master and genius, he loved his tools, building or fixing anything and everything that presented in his path, especially a car. He reveled in good conversation with anyone about anything ... for hours. He served our country during the Vietnam War and lived his life as a steadfast patriot who was proud to be an American. His uncanny wit would go unmatched in most circles atoning to his phenomenal memorization of prose and lyrics. Most men wanted to be him and women wanted him. He adored Idaho. He was generous to a fault by striving to help others before himself. But above all, he revered family by always doing the utmost to defend, encourage, show support, and demonstrate love.

Hank married lovely Laura Elaine Williams on February 4, 1965 parting ways in January of 1968. A beautiful, talented daughter, Deborah Lynn Falconer, was born from this union. Remaining also, in this musically gifted family, is one very accomplished son, Geoffrey Michael Miller, along with one grandson Indio Falconer Downey (Deborah), two granddaughters Olivia Lou and Nichola Jean (Geoffrey), one “much older” sister Bonnie Anglin (Kelly), nephew Mike McClarrinon (Regina), niece Molly Christensen (Ron), nephews Brian and Chris Anglin, niece Emily Anglin (Aaron Nelson) along with many great nephews and nieces, and great-great nephews and niece. Included are a slew of cherished first, second and third cousins, a multitude of devoted friends, neighbors, and ultimately, steadfast fans. Lastly, the aching hearts of endearing partners whose love for Hank, everlasting, will never be forgotten or unspoken.

Hank rejoins his parents Edna Margaret (Poe) and Wyatt Byrd Falconer, sister Linda Ann McClarrinon and George; maternal grandparents, Grace Matilda (Austin) and Edgar Allen Poe; paternal grandparents, Ida Lucretia (Taylor) and Henry Irving Falconer II; and one great niece, Jessica Lynn McClarrinon.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 2:00 PM at The Cameron Park Community Center, 2502 Country Club Drive, Cameron Park, California 95682.

The family requests that any gifts in memory of Hank be made in the form of a donation to The American Heart Association at www2.heart.org or by mail at American Heart Association, Donations Processing Center, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94070-1795 or by phone at 1-800 242-8721.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home, Placerville, California.

Please visit chapelofthepinesfunerals.com to leave condolences and fond memories to the family.