Obituary for James Henley

James Richard “Jim” Henley of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Tuesday morning, March 11, 2014, at his home at the age of 75 years.

James Richard “Jim” Henley was born on December 14, 1938, in Wewoka, Oklahoma, to Burl and Dolores (Tucker) Henley. He grew up in Butner, Oklahoma, attending Butner Public Schools graduating in 1957. He married Ina Lynn Burris on July 6, 1957, in Wewoka and he began working for the Wewoka Fire Department before transferring to the Wewoka Police Department. He entered the United State Army in 1961 serving for a year. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Wewoka. In 1965 they moved to Blackwell where he began a twenty-one year career with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Following his retirement he served as police chief for the City of Blackwell until September of 1988. His wife preceded him in death on August 27, 2002, and he continued to make Blackwell his home. He later married Stella Mildred Peugh on February 19, 2005. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Newkirk Masonic Lodge, Kay County Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, Tulsa Akdar Shrine, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Society, Blackwell Fraternal Order of Police, Oklahoma State Troopers Association and Oklahoma Retired Troopers Association. He also served on the North Central Oklahoma Major Crime Task Force, past director of Blackwell’s Civil Defense, United Way Board, Advisory Committee for Law Enforcement at Northern Oklahoma College and as president and vice-president for the Blackwell Camp Fire Board. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife Stella Henley of Blackwell; a daughter, Cindy Mathis and husband Mike of Krum, Texas; a son, Keith Henley and wife Scarlet of Tulsa, Oklahoma; step-children, Lori Waldrop and husband Bob of Louisville, Kentucky, and Christopher Peugh and wife Vickey of Perkins, Oklahoma; a brother, Don Henley and wife Cleta of Antlers, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Kirk of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and Charlene Durrett and husband Tom of Portales, New Mexico; grandchildren, Emma Kate Henley and Zachary Henley of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Isabella Peugh of Perkins, Oklahoma, and Brittany Rutledge and Brooke Rutledge of Louisville, Kentucky; and two nephews, Mike Henley and wife Debbie of Antlers, Oklahoma, and Bryan Kirk of Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and step-father, Virgil Orr.

Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 14th in the First Christian Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Jeff Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery with military honors presented by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Honor Guard.

Casketbearers will be Mike Mathis, Bryan Kirk, Mike Henley, Chris Peugh, Bob Waldrop and Zac Henley. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be Chester Black, Larry Logan, Tom Durrett, Tom Ysbrand, Fred LeValley, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Honor Guard and the Newkirk Masonic Lodge.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the Hospice of North Central Oklahoma or the Children’s Shriners Hospital in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.