John Henley

Retired State Senator  John T. Henley, Sr., 90 of Hope Mills, NC  died  March 17, 2012.



Mr. Henley served in the 9th Infantry division as a medic in World War II and earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals.  He graduated from the UNC School of Pharmacy in 1943 and opened a Clinic Pharmacy in 1946 when he and his wife moved to Hope Mills.  Mr. Henley was Mayor of Hope Mills from  1947 until 1953.  He served as Town Commissioner until 1956.  He served four terms in the NC House of Representatives and six terms in the NC Senate.  He was elected as President Pro Tempore  for two terms as well.  He left the NC Senate in 1980 to become president of the NC Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and held that position for 14 years.  In 1995 he was again elected to the Hope Mills Town Council and served for four more years.



Among many other honors he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Methodist University in 1987 and  an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Campbell University in 1992.



He was preceded in death by his wife Rebecca and ten brother s and sisters.



Survivors are sons, Dr. John T. Henley Jr and wife Susan of Fayetteville, Robert (Bob) Henley and fiancée Judy Mason of Hope Mils, and Dr. Douglas  Henley and wife Mary of Leawood, Kansas; grandchildren, Robbie,  Lori, Emily, Chris; great grandchildren, Connor, Medowe and Dylan.



A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at Hope Mills United Methodist Church.  Burial to follow in Hope Mills Cemetery.  Visitation will be from  7 until 9 PM,  Monday, March 19, 2012, at  Hope Mills United Methodist Church.    Condolences may be left at pinecrestfuneralservice.com.  Services entrusted to Pinecrest Funeral & Cremation Services.



In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc.,308 Green Street.Fayetteville, NC  28301 or

Hope Mills United Methodist Church, 4955 Legion Road, Hope Mills, NC 28348