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Richard Wayne Henton, 79, Opelika, Alabama resident, passed away Thursday, May 31st at Kindred Hospice in Columbus, Georgia. A native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, he was born to Joe Henton and Leona (Willcox) Henton in Ramona, Oklahoma. He married June (Marcum) Henton on December 30, 1960 at her family home in Hominy, Oklahoma.
Dr. Henton attended College High School in Bartlesville and went on to complete his associate degree from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma where he was a standout scholarship athlete in track. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Interior Design from Oklahoma State University and his Ph.D. in Allied Arts from the University of Minnesota. He held several academic positions over the years, moving through rank as Assistant Professor at East Carolina University, Associate Professor at Texas Tech University, and Professor at Oregon State University. Dr. Henton was an excellent teacher and graduate mentor, well liked and highly respected by his students. His primary scholarly achievement was the development of a quick sketch technique that was published widely and adopted for use in interior design studios by many of his protégés and others throughout the interior design profession.
Survivors include his wife, June; a son Jalyn Henton, daughter-in-law Tanisha Carino, and grandchildren Jordan and Estella Henton of Alexandria, Virginia; one daughter, Connor Lowry and her husband William (Mac) Lowry of Auburn, Alabama; one sister, Carol Barrett of Lawton, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family. Dr. Henton was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lloyd Lee Henton and Jay Lynn Henton; and two sisters, Mary Helen Donaldson and Joan Ashton.
Although a health issue ended his professional career in 1981, Dr. Henton became an anchor for his family, a stay-at-home dad, and a freelance artist. Despite his disability, he remained outgoing, funny, and a beloved friend to all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Auburn University Foundation for the existing Richard W. Henton Endowed Scholarship Award in Interior Design.
The family will be receiving visitors on Sunday, June 3rd from 4-6 p.m. at the home of Connor and Mac Lowry. A family memorial service will be held in Oklahoma later in the fall.
The Henton Family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation-Columbus, 7500 Veterans Parkway, Suite A, Columbus, Georgia 31909, 706-577-0055, www.georgiacremation.com. The family invites you to leave a condolence or share a fond memory below.
Carol Warfield says
June, Jayln & Tanisha, Connor & Mac,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. The very special memories you have of Richard will help to carry you through the difficult days ahead. He was a very special person.
Sid James says
June, Jalyn, Connor and Family:
We are so sad for you all and thinking about you during this time of heartbreak.
Love,
Sid, Behzad and Ari
Di Samek says
My thoughts are with you on this solemn day. Prayers, love, and support are spreading your way.
Kyle Kostelecky says
June and family,
Know that you have been in Michele’s and my prayers and thoughts these last many days and we will continue to lift you up going forward. Love and Peace to all of you.
Kyle & Michele
Donna Burnett says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Dean Henton. May God hold you and your family close and surround you with the love of God and those around you at this difficult time.
Sandra Forsythe says
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Richard was such a fine man; his family and friends will miss him terribly.
Brian and Jolly says
June, Connor, & Jalyn,
We share your sadness at your loss of a husband and father. Please know that you have the support of a caring community and feel free to call on us if we can help in any way.
Phyllis Harris says
Nothing made my day brighter than to answer the work phone and have that sweet voice on the other end say, “Hello, pretty lady!” I smiled from ear to ear and there was anything I would not have done for him. Loved the Richard Henton; he was one of my many blessing! What an honor to have known him.
Claire Wilson says
Jon and I send our deepest condolences to all who loved him.
Adrienne Duke says
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May you and your family be surrounded by love and peace during this difficult time.
Renée & Dave Maurer says
Our thoughts are with you.
Francesca Adler-Baeder says
June and family – I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved husband and father. Sending you all love and light and prayers for peace and comfort.
Francesca and Patrick and family
Wis Kwon says
So sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.
Lenda Jo Connell says
So sorry to learn of your loss. Thoughts and prayers for comfort and finding your way to joyful remembrances of a life well lived.
Margaret K Keiley says
Loss of a loved one is never easy. My condolences to you and your family. The path forward is never easy, but remember, in some sense, those that are gone are walking beside you.
Carol Story says
My prayers and love are with you. I remember your Husband and Dad from our Lee-Scott days and count it a privilege to have known him.
Dorothy Mckinnon says
I’m sorry for your loss. May your memories give you peace and comfort.
Rod and Pat Cate says
June, Connor, and Jayln – Our family has such fond memories of Richard. We are so grateful that we got to know him well. Richard was one of the “good guys” in this world. We send our love to all of you in this time of loss and sorrow. Rod, Pat, Brandi, and Shani
Veena Chattaraman says
June — I am so sorry to hear this sad news. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all through this difficult time.
Lara Press says
To our good friend Jalyn and his family,
We are thinking of you in your time of loss, and we hope that you find strength in being together during this time of mourning for your loving father and husband. Our deepest condolences,
Lara and Darren Press
Brandi Potter says
My heart is aching for all of your family and also for all of the wonderful friends your family have collected over the years. You are in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Amrut Sadachar says
Dean Henton,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. May God give you and your family the strength needed in this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Kristy Myers says
Keeping you all close in thought and prayer during this difficult time. Hold on to the many wonderful memories.
Much love,
Kristy
Marlo and Gigi Pacoli says
May his memory be a blessing to your family. Praying for peace and comfort during this sad time!
Richard and Kay Guthrie says
Praying for peace and comfort during this sad time!
Paula Gray Hunker says
Sending love and prayers to June, Jalyn Conner and all the family. May his memory be for a blessing and his time on earth be forever remembered by those who loved him and all who knew him.
Dick Brinker says
Suzanne and I are saddened deeply. Richard was a truly warm and enjoyable friend. He always had a great spirit that enjoyed a good conversation about sports, and especially AU basketball. We have you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jon Waggoner says
We love you guys dearly and are so sorry for your loss. You guys are so special to so many people and we all mourn with you. If there’s anything at all we can do, please let us know. Sending our love,
Jon, Kammi, Rett, and Emery
Thomas Guss says
I remember Richard in a good way including times rooting for Corvallis teams during football season and the cold and rain was a part of that. I am also aware of how deeply he loved his family and how important each was to him. He was a fine man and will be deeply missed. I hope your grief is as deep as necessary to engage your personal resilience and as wide as possible to elicit sweet memories. Be well.
vini nathan says
Dear June,
My deepest condolences. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I send you much positive magical energy as you weather this difficult time.
Vini
Jon Genier says
I was sorry to learn of Richard’s passing. May his family find some comfort for their great loss in the promise found at Revelation 21:3-4.
Stew and Aina Schneller says
Standing thoughtfully and prayerfully by, June. Stew and Aina Schneller
Louis Lavoie says
Jalyn, Tanisha, Jordan, and Stella–
I’m so sorry to hear about this loss. You’re all in my thoughts. I’m here for you if you need anything. –Louis
Colleen Rye says
We’re so sorry to hear of your loss. Many thoughts and prayers from the Ryes as you pass through this challenging time.
Gregg and Colleen Newschwander says
Dear June,
Wishing you peace and comfort. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Let us know how we can help.
Pam Wellborn says
Dear June and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of this great loss. Reading Richard’s great accomplishments of his life was amazing and inspiring,but I know he was most proud of his family and
you all were his Pride and Joy.
I pray for love, peace and strength for you during this time, and always,
Pam
Lee Evans says
June, it is awful to loose a life partner and I can only imagine the impact that it has on you and your family. Brenda and I have you in our thoughts. May you find peace in all the wonderful memories of your and Richard’s life together.
Lee and Brenda
Dotty and Ray Cavender; RayeCarol and Brice Cole says
June, we extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We pray that those precious memories of Richard will sustain you now and going forward.
Gail and Rickie Piggott says
Dear June and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayer is that a lifetime of memories will sustain you and lighten your hearts.
Jenny Barton says
Dean Henton, I send my deepest sympathy to you and your family. May you find peace and understanding during this difficult time.
Arturo and Lena Racelis says
Sincerest condolences to all of you . Our thoughts and prayers for strength, comfort and peace during this difficult time .
Arturo and Lena Racelisv
Dan Silverstein says
Dear June,
Please add me to the long list of people extending condolences. Sorry I can’t be there tomorrow to express my sympathies in person.
Pam and Bruno Ulrich says
June, Connor and Mac, and Jayln and Tanesha,
We are so saddened by your loss and keep you in our thoughts. I had the pleasure of teaching in the same Oregon State department as Richard and still hold in my memory the vision of him stopping by my office to sit down for a friendly chat and maybe a joke. We know that you all have many happy memories to share at this difficult time.
Jim and Donna Sinor says
Dear June,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless, Jim & Donna
Barbie Watts says
June and family, I was saddened to hear of the loss of Richard. Please know that I am keeping you in prayer at this time. May God’s comfort surround you now and in the days ahead.
Peter & Ellaine Miller and family says
We wish you a peace that passes all understanding and loving, fond memories during this time.
Ping and Peggy Hsieh says
Dear June and Family:
Richard’s kind smiling face remains in our memories and he will be cherished in our hearts forever. May God embrace you in comfort during this time of sorrow. With loving condolences.
Catrina Merrick says
My condolences to the family. May you find peace during this difficult time. Praying for the family
Frieda (Thomas) Ferguson says
June, I was so sorry to learn of Richard’s passing. My sincere sympathy to and your family, keeping all in my thoughts and prayers.
,