Eldon P. Henry

March 26, 1942 - September 17, 2011

Eldon Paul Henry Jr. passed away on September 17, 2011, after a courageous battle against cancer. Born March 26, 1942, in Peoria, Illinois, to Eldon Paul Henry, Sr. and Katherine Wauneeda (Snyder) Henry, Paul entered the Navy at the age of 17 and spent 22 years in service to his country, including test supervisor at the Naval Flight Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland and in the Vietnam War. His crowning achievement was, while stationed in the Philippines, meeting his wife, Gwen, to whom he was totally devoted. Childhood experiences on a farm with foster parents, gave Paul his love for animals, the outdoors, and farm machinery. This led to his interests in gardening, sailing, and the restoration of vintage vehicles. Some of his restoration projects included old airplanes and farm tractors. A member of the Miracle Strip Corvette Club, he participated in autocross racing, and supported club activities in Florida and in the southeast. His Navy experience, first as an enlisted man, then as a commissioned officer, gave him organizational and management skills needed for his post retirement job as manager for MatCom2, a software development and management company supporting the Naval Rework Facility aboard NAS Pensacola. His associates in all of these activities will remember him as a talented, industrious, inventive, and loyal colleague. Paul is survived by his wife of 37 years, Gwendolyn “Gwen” (Beckham) Henry; brother, Gary “Hank” Henry (Sue); sister, Norma Guilliams; aunt, Wanda Wolf; nephews, Paul Scott Guilliams (Chris), Steven Todd Guilliams (Jodie), Sean Paul Guilliams, and Casey Guilliams; daughter, Lindsay Gardner; granddaughter, Sydney; many extended family members; dear friends, and his beloved cat, Callie. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brother in law Gerald Guilliams; and uncle, Carl Wolf. Paul attended Bellview Baptist Church, and his spirits were lifted by the many prayers, visits, and cards from its members, as well as from other churches, family and friends. The family thanks Dr. Sunnenberg, his staff, Sacred Heart Hospital, and Covenant Hospice, for their care, concern, and advice during his illness. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL. Memorial services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, with Reverend Gregg McBride officiating. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers will be Gary Henry, Scott Guilliams, Casey Guilliams, Trent Martin, Reese Martin, and Bradley Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Covenant Hospice. Condolences may be expressed online at www.fcfhs.com