David Richard Henley

David Richard Henley, 70, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 12, 2017 following a progressive decline in health due to diabetic-related illnesses. He was a resident of Temple, TX at the time of death.
His Celebration of Life service will be held at Blessing Funeral Home, Mansfield, at 1 pm on Thursday, August 17; visitation will be on Wednesday, August 16 from 6-8. Burial will follow at Pleasant Point Cemetery, Lillian.
David was born on January 11, 1947 in Brandon, MS, to Mary Evelyn and William Hervey Henley. He was preceded in death by his father, his wife and mother of his children, Rosemary (Crickett) Henley, and his stepfather, Burlie Joe Ray. Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Guyann Henley of Temple, Texas; his mother Mary Evelyn Ray of Burleson, TX; daughter Chrystal Barnett and husband Kelly of Mansfield; son David Henley and wife Nerea of Fort Worth and daughter Jennifer Hawkins and husband CJ of Scurry, TX. As he always stated, his quiver was full as he is also survived by grandchildren Kaylee, Cole and Cason Barnett; David, Daniel and Gabrielle Henley; and Steven Taylor, Maryssa Lopez; step-grandchildren Torie and Dillion Hawkins and a host of loving relatives and friends.
If he were to write his obituary, David would see his life in two phases: Before and After his dramatic conversion to Christianity and would use one phrase to describe that: Jesus Christ became his everything. Before Christ, David was on a wandering road looking for meaning and purpose in a lot of the wrong places. Following his relinquishment of his life to Christ, he actually discovered life and happily spent it serving others. David pastored churches in Bowie, Eastland and Ft. Worth. He was known for his colorful messages and always for his humor both in and out of the pulpit. He was also known for his yummy cooking! It was not unusual for David to bring strangers home for dinner, and his generosity touched everyone he came into contact with. His was definitely a life well-lived as evidenced by the myriad of folks who would tell you that he is the one person on earth that had the greatest impact on their lives outside their families. David’s greatest legacy is the number of Christ followers that are represented in the lineage of David Richard Henley. Even the grandchildren seek God with all their heart and serve others through the vocations they have chosen. God first, family second and others next. No one last. Thank you, David for who you were….you will be greatly missed.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for him in these final months: Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest, Lifecare Hospitals of Fort Worth, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, and Community Hospice of Texas.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant….enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21