John David Henry, age 61, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from cancer. David was born on October 28, 1952 in Norfolk, Virginia to John Hall Henry, Jr. and Kathleen Phillips Henry.

A 1971 graduate of Shelby High School, David attended UNC Chapel Hill and Clemson University. Upon graduating from Clemson with a degree in horticulture, David pursued his masters in landscape architecture at NC State University.

David’s love of nature, plants, and others was evident in his work with the Raleigh Housing Authority, where he dedicated his time and talents to improving public housing facilities through landscape design. David had a passion for cultivating gardens intended for others to enjoy and was most in his element when doing this for retirement communities and in playground landscaping. He imparted this passion to his sisters and nieces to whom he was always willing to lend his vast knowledge of plants and flowers. David’s enthusiasm for nature and his generosity in improving the quality of life for others are among his family’s favorite aspects of his legacy.

David’s resiliency was evident in his unwavering kind-heartedness in the midst of struggles. His loving nature and unique sense of humor are what his family remembers most.

David was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Shelby. He is survived by his mother, Kathleen Phillips Henry; sisters, Beth Henry Roberts (John) of Chapel Hill, Amy Henry Mangum (Travis) of Shelby, Julie Henry Falls (Lewis) of Nova Scotia, and Becky Henry Lyon (Don) of Vacaville, California. He is preceded in death by his father, John H. Henry, and his brother, Chuck Henry. David’s several nieces and nephews remember him as a favorite uncle.

Please email davidhenrymemorial@gmail.com for details on the private memorial service to be held at a later date.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Shelby School, 1205 Northside Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com