Alfred Henry, 84

Alfred Morris Henry "Fred", 83, of Battle Lake, died peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2008, at home after a long illness, surrounded by his wife and children, under the care of Hospice.

Fred was known as "Baby Boy" or "Babe" by friends and family. He was born Dec. 13, 1924, in Ponsford to Robert J. and Rebecca (Grais) Henry and was their last surviving child.

Fred enlisted in the U.S. Navy to fight for his country during World War II. After the war Fred met Joanne Kathryn Duryea in Minneapolis and they were married on Dec. 20, 1946, in Detroit Lakes.

They moved to Michigan where Fred attended Wayne State University. He later studied radio technology and became a master mechanic. He was a savvy businessman and entrepreneur and owned and operated car washes. He later moved his family to the space coast of Florida during the hey day of the space program and later to San Jose, Calif., where he and his wife resided until they moved back to Minnesota in 2004.

Fred has a large and loving extended family and was lovingly cared for by Lawrence "Hank" Henry, his best friend, nephew and "partner in crime" as well as Hank’s wife, Caroline, since his move to Minnesota. They are from Sptizer Lake. Fred was a kind, generous person who touched the lives of all he met and will surely be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joanne; his five children, Doug, Sandrah and Ellen Henry of California, Teri Eck of Florida and Phillip Henry of Idaho; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, all of whom love him very, very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his 16 brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Mountain Men of Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 2 p.m. Thursday at Leaf Mountain Lutheran Church, rural Clitherall

Clergy: Rev. Richard Kennedy

Burial: Church Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake

n Online condolences may be sent online at www.glendenilson.com