Henry D. Varnell's Obituary
Henry D. Varnell Jr., 86, lifelong Memphian, retired business executive and philanthropist, died October 5, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jeanne Varnell; three children, Kay Ledbetter (Steve), Henry Varnell III (Margaret), and Ann Strain; three stepchildren, Ruthie Bernabe (Jose), Daly Thompson III, and Laurence Gammon; goddaughter Toni Dick; 10 beloved grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and a brother, John Varnell. His life spanned his graduation from Whitehaven High School and University of Tennessee where he received a bachelor’s degree in science, four years as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, a 32-year career as an executive with Exxon, and more than three decades as a valued member of the board of trustees for the J.R. Hyde Senior Family Foundation. His experience as a fighter pilot is featured in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force as being the last pilot to fly an F-82 fighter with a conventional engine before converting to jet engines. The threads that bound together his life were his unfailing love for his city, devotion to his family, and his commitment to seeding new organizations like Streets Ministries, which received its first contribution from him for its important work. The headline of his The Commercial Appeal obituary said: “Henry Varnell dedicated his life to making Memphis better,” and that rare legacy of civic and charitable involvement was shaped by his favorite role as a loving and committed husband, father, and grandfather. He worked with numerous local organizations and faith-based groups, including New Pathways, United Housing as a board member, Metro Missionary Society which later became the Center for Transforming Communities, the Nehemiah Project, the Wesley Housing Board, and the Shelby Residential and Vocational Services (SRVS) Real Estate Board. He served for many years as a trustee at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and he was a charter member of Asbury United Methodist Church where he held many volunteer positions, particularly in the area of finance. He loved American history, collecting coins, and basketball. With a passion for giving back and serving others, he was a quiet, steadfast, and powerful force for good in Memphis. The family requests memorials be sent to Church Health Center, Methodist Healthcare Foundation, and Asbury United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held Friday, October 9, from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Fireside Chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 10, at 9:30 a.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, and funeral services will be held Saturday, October 10, at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”
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