On May 1, the Whatcom County Master Gardener family lost one of our long time members. Al McHenry past away in Lynden. Below is his obituary from the Bellingham Herald.
Allen E. McHenry
Obituary
Allen E. McHenry, age 86, of Lynden passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's disease at the Christian Health Care Center on May 1, 2016. Allen was born in Jacksonville, Florida on September 9, 1929 to John H. and Myrtle (Lane) McHenry. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, where he began Track and Field. Allen received an athletic scholarship for the High Jump to the University of Alabama. After college Allen served in both the Navy and Army. He represented the latter at the 1952 Olympic Trials. He remained in the Army Reserves for 30 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel. Allen married Cleo K. Bliss on April 10, 1953 and they had three children, Blair McHenry, Kent (Rhonda) McHenry, and Laurie (Bob) Comley. Allen worked for the Washington State department of Transportation for 32 years. After retiring he worked for the Whatcom County Master Gardeners where he taught pruning and grafting classes. Allen had a love of fishing and the outdoors; he enjoyed his gardening, and passing on his knowledge to others. Services with military honors will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 at the Lynden Community Church. There will be a fellowship at the church after the services. You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.