James Edward Henke

Memorial service for Jim E. Henke (82) will be Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the
Methodist church in Kremlin, Oklahoma. Jim was born in Enid to Frank Edward Henke and Opal Audrey
Henke (Kelsick). He was raised on the family homestead in Kremlin. Growing up there, he would tell he
spent many a day working a hand tied baler for his father, earning ½ a cent per bale. He graduated from
Kremlin High School and joined the U.S. Army.
He married Mitzi Lee Tabor (Moore) on December 30, 1966. They started their marriage blessed with a
son, Rodney Wayne and a daughter, Lisa Darlene. Together their family continued to be blessed with the
addition of Tiffani Chantell and Jamie Lee. The family lived in Enid, Breckenridge and then settled in
Hunter in 1980.
Jim worked his entire career at ONG, retiring in the mid 80’s. After he retired, he was able to devote all
his time to the work he enjoyed the most and that was farming and his cow/calf operation. This was
made even more enjoyable for him because of his sidekicks, Cyler “Syler” and Matthew. He enjoyed
showing them the way things used to be done and they enjoyed showing him the way things are done
now days. When they all put their heads together, they always had extra projects going on. During his
down time during the spring and fall, you would often find Jim at a baseball or football game. He really
enjoyed watching the kids play ball, including his great nephew John’s four years of playing baseball for
Kremlin. He missed very few of his games whether home or away.
His other biggest pass time was spending time with his grandsons Jaxston and CJ. He would never miss
an opportunity to visit with them and see what new adventures they were partaking in. They always
loved taking grandpa’s hat and having him search for it and try to get it back.
Jim also worked as an Enid newspaper delivery driver for 30 years serving the Hunter area. On the
weekends during planting season, he would rally up his nephew, great niece, and/or nephews to dig
holes for his new trees. He loved to take everyone that stopped by out to see all his trees and
blackberries.
Jim was preceded in death by two infant siblings Peggy Jo and Donald Dewayne, his son Jamie Lee, his
parents, his brother Frank Henke, his daughter Tiffani White, and his son Rodney Tabor.
He is survived by his wife Mitzi of the home, his son in law LeRoy White MD, and his grandchildren
Jaxston and CJ, his daughter Lisa Tabor Harvey Corbett (Wes), Prue, OK. His niece Peggy Rose and
husband Tommy, great niece Audrey Rose, great nephews John Henke-Rose, Cedric and wife Danae
Henke-Rose, and a brand new great-great niece.