Henry Clyde Schenk

Published in The Virginian Pilot on 2/9/2009

SUFFOLK - Henry Clyde Schenk passed away Feb. 7, 2009, from complications due to Parkinson's disease. He was born Jan. 30, 1931, in Salisbury, N.C., into a family of nine boys.

Henry loved sports. He played professional baseball for the Franklin Kildee team as a shortstop from 1949 to 1951. His baseball career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956. He served on the USS Shannon, spending most of his time in Portugal and Cuba, enjoying the sun and libations.

His love of sports continued throughout his life as he coached various teams from T-Ball to American Legion baseball. He passed along his love of sports to his sons, Ronnie and Jody, and rarely missed one of their games, come rain or shine.

Henry worked as an electrician at Union Camp Corporation (now International Paper) in Franklin for 36 years. He retired in 1994.

Henry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty; his son, Ronnie and wife Donna of Suffolk; his daughter, Karen and husband Robert of Cary, N.C.; five grandchildren, Brian and wife Dawn, Arran, Matthew and wife Becky, Beth and Katie; as well as one great grandchild, Emma. He leaves behind five brothers.

With his passing his family has lost a wonderful husband, father and brother. The world has lost a gentle soul.

A funeral will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Bethlehem Christian Church with the Rev. John Watson officiating. Burial will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends for visitation at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, today from 7 to 8 p.m. Online condolences can be made at www.parrfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Parkinson Foundation would be much appreciated by Henry.