A funeral liturgy for Lawrence C. “Larry” Henke, 84, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19 at the Saint James Catholic Church in Douglas with Con-Celebrants, Father Demetrio Penascoza and Father Andrew Duncan. A Vigil for the Deceased will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 also at the church. Interment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery.
Larry Henke died Friday, Oct. 12 at his home in Douglas surrounded by his loving family.
Larry was born Saturday, Jan. 27, 1934 in Fashing, Texas the son of Eugene Henry and Selma M. (Fischer) Henke. He was raised and educated in Fashing, where he received his elementary education. He attended and graduated from Saint John’s Prep School in San Antonio, Texas. Following graduation he played two years of minor league baseball, then began his carrier with Plymouth Petroleum Company. In 1956 was drafted into the United States Army, serving from 1956 to 1958. He returned to Plymouth Petroleum Company and was transferred to Wyoming in 1959, where he met Carol Ann Hytrek of Glendo. They were married on June 10, 1961 in Glendo. At the beginning of 1962 Plymouth Petroleum Company was sold out. Larry started working for Phillips Petroleum in August 1962 working various positions up to and including plant superintendent prior to retiring in 1994. His 32 years with Phillips Petroleum allowed him and his family to live in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Larry and Carol spent their retirement years in Esterbrook where they enjoyed the mountain life and snowmobiling. They were charter members of the CC Riders Snowmobile Club of Esterbrook.
They built a new home in Douglas, where they have resided since 2005.
Larry was a member of the Saint James Catholic Church and Holy Name Society.
He had a passion for fishing and hunting for elk and geese, and was an avid gardener and keeper of an immaculate yard.
Larry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol, of Douglas; children, Kay (Mark) Walker of Hartville, Gale (Danny) Martinez of Douglas, Cary (Terry) Higgins of Parker, Colo., and Lane (Marissa) Henke of Park City, Mont.; fifteen grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marina Galloway; and brothers, Emil Henke and Richard Henke.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ross Walker, Brady Martinez, Broc Higgins, Derek Higgins, Jordan Henke, and Joseph Henke.
A memorial to the Saint James Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1500, Douglas, WY or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Converse Chapel of Douglas is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at gormanfh.com
