George Lyle Henry

George Lyle Henry, 88, of Nampa, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 5th surrounded by his loving family. There will be a viewing on Saturday, September 12 from 2 - 2:45 PM at the Bethel Church of the Nazarene, 3001 12th Ave. Rd. A Memorial Service for George Henry will follow at 3 PM at the church with military honors by personnel from the Idaho Army National Guard. A private interment will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise.

George was born on April 2, 1938 in Montevideo, Minnesota to John and Fern Henry. George was the oldest of seven brothers. In 1956, the Henry family moved to Nampa, Idaho. He loved to drive tractors and big rigs, beginning when his father, John, placed him behind the wheel of a tractor at age 5. He purchased a new dump truck in 1956 and, after being drafted into the Army in 1961, served as an Army transport truck driver before beginning a career as a long-haul truck driver, retiring in 1996. After retiring, he began bus driving for music and sports teams for the university, and his favorite was the senior choir from College Church, traveling all over the Northwest. He met his "better half," Viola Alexander, on a date set up by his brother Byron and wife, Becky. They were married in 1961 and recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. They moved to Baker, Oregon, in the early '70s and raised three boys. George was a dedicated member of the Church of the Nazarene, beginning in Dawson, Minnesota, and continuing in Idaho and Oregon. In 1991, he returned to Nampa to help care for his aging parents before retiring from freight hauling. He was especially proud of his family. George loved antiques and had a particular fondness for tractors. The 1952 Ford 8N he restored was taken to the state fair for many years. He finally crossed over to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, after a long battle with cancer.

George is survived by his wife, Vi; their children, Grant (Teresa) of Salt Lake City, Melvin (Karen) of Kimberly, and Carmon (April) of Kooskia; eight grandchildren, Matt (Arwyn), Joe, Thomas (Karlee), Hope (Jason), Christian (Joy), Faith, Ruth, and Nathan; one great-grandchild, James; and his youngest brother, Jim. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com