Paul Harve McHenry

Paul was born on November 17, 1934 in Nacogdoches, Texas. He passed away at the age of 87 of natural causes on February 16. He is preceded in death by his spouses, Polly McHenry and Elaine Wilson McHenry, his parents K. L. McHenry and Dorris Pauline Danforth McHenry, his sister, Carmen Gene McHenry Millican and brother Wayne Danforth McHenry. He is survived by his four children, Paula Foley and husband, Allen, Dennis McHenry and wife, Laura, Allen McHenry and wife, Sharon, Charles McHenry and wife Tebora, his 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, his stepchildren, Jan Appleton and husband, Jeff, Michael Wilson and wife, Paula, David Wilson and wife, Ronda.

Paul was the first of 3 children. He grew up in Lufkin and graduated from Lufkin High School in 1952. Paul attended Rice University for 2 years studying pre-Law.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1955 and married Polly in Corrigan, Texas. He was stationed at a Military Base in Mannheim, Germany, when their first child was born. Paul served in the Army for 3 years in the Signal Corp division and in the reserves for 5 years. After he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1958, he earned a Bachelors Degree in Geology from Lamar University in Beaumont graduating in 1961. Upon graduation, he accepted a position at Shell Chemical and he and Polly and the four kids relocated from Beaumont to Deer Park.

Paul began his career as a lab technician at Shell Chemical Plant in Deer Park, eventually becoming the lab supervisor. After 32 years at Shell, he retired in 1992 and moved to Coldspring, Texas on Lake Livingston. He created many friendships in Coldspring and always considered this his true home. He loved being outside and fishing. Fishing was a past time he dearly enjoyed and became quite the expert. He also loved to visit Canton, Texas, for the First Monday Trade Days Marketplace. He enjoyed shopping and browsing all the antiques and unique items for sale. He had a lifelong passion of photography and was an accomplished photographer.

He belonged to a social organization “Parents without Partners” for many years. He was a very social person and always had some event planned or date he was looking forward to. He met the second love of his life, Elaine Wilson in Coldspring. They married in Coldspring in December of 2010. He thoroughly enjoyed being married to Elaine and was the happiest he had been in years. Paul and Elaine moved from Coldspring to Willis and joined the West Conroe Baptist Church in Conroe. Paul and Elaine continued to visit their friends at the Senior Center in Coldspring. After Elaine passed away in 2018, Paul never stopped visiting their friends at the Senior Center in Coldspring.

Paul was deeply loved and respected by his children, relatives, and his many friends. His memorial service will be held on March 9 at the West Conroe Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. The memorial service will start at 11:00 am. The church is located at 1855 Longmire Road in Conroe, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the American Diabetes Association, the West Conroe Baptist Church, or charity of your choice.