James Orald Henrie

James O. Henrie

Lehi, Utah

On April 21, 2016 James Orald Henrie, 89, passed away peacefully in Cedar Hills, Utah. The son of Nathaniel Orald and Ruth Heywood Henrie, Jim was born on August 4, 1926, in Panguitch, Utah. He loved Panguitch, where he had close family and friends who knew him as "Jimmy O". His life was abundantly blessed by five sisters. After serving honorably as a Navy Radioman during World War II, he fell in love and married a sweet redhead, Evelyn Joy Hamel, on June 19, 1947. Together they raised seven children: Diana Joy (Davis) Gardner, James Russell (Cynthia) Henrie, Bradley Kirk (Christine) Henrie, Gregory Orald (Sally) Henrie, Jenine (Brooke) Snarr, Laura (Paul) Wheelwright, and Ruth (Roger) Kaspar. He treasured them and the 31 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren they gave to him. After 61 years together, Evelyn passed away in 2008. On August 5, 2009, Jim married another vivacious redhead, Joan Redmond Kaylor, and she has been at his side ever since.

Jim was a steadfast member of the LDS Church, and served in many capacities including bishop of the Canoga Park CA 2 ^nd Ward and counselor in the presidencies of the Canoga Park CA and Richland WA Stakes. The most exciting church calling for Jim and Evelyn was to serve together as the first LDS missionaries on the island of Cyprus (January 1989 - August 1990).

He received an MS in Civil Engineering from Utah State University in 1951, then moved to Southern California to work for North American Aviation, and subsequently was licensed as a Professional Nuclear Engineer. He was awarded several patents, including five related to hydrogen control systems. His hydrogen-oxygen recombiners were used after the 3 Mile Island nuclear accident to remove the hydrogen "bubble" from the reactor containment vessel, thus eliminating the risk of explosion and spread of radioactivity.

Jim loved to build, repair, and invent. He worked hard, played hard, and was thrifty and self-reliant, yet generous to his family and friends. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman, beekeeper, and vegetable gardener. He valued education and made sure that his progeny could obtain college degrees. The cabin Jim built at Panguitch Lake has been a hub of family activities for more than two decades and maintains a vital ancestral connection to Southern Utah.

Jim is survived by his compassionate wife; his children and grandchildren; and beloved sisters: Kathryn Ipson and Irene Tebbs. He is preceded in death by his parents; Evelyn; and sisters: Louise Englestead, Jean Gottfredson, and Carol Dodds.

Funeral services will be held April 30, 2016 at 11:00 am in the Panguitch 2 ^nd Ward LDS Chapel, where friends may call from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Panguitch Cemetery, with military rites by the Panguitch American Legion Post #25 and Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.