HENRY, LEE

Lee E. Henry was born July 9, 1965  in Superior WI where he lived with his mother and two brothers until the age of 11, when he moved to Cheney Washington. While at Cheney High School, Lee played football and baseball and won numerous awards in the FFA. After graduating high school in 1983, Lee would eventually attend Eastern Washington University where he graduated in 1996 with a BA in Business Administration.  

Chief Master Sergeant Henry dedicated his life to public service. Upon graduation from Cheney HS in 1986, he joined the Marine Corps. After his enlistment was up, Lee opted to get out and became a member of the Washington State Patrol in 1991 and would go on to serve 13 years as a State Trooper. During this time, Lee would join the United States Air Force Reserves where he would have a successful 33-year career; ultimately, obtaining his Air Force goal of achieving the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank possible, in November 2017. CMSGT Henry also worked as a DoD contractor serving both in Afghanistan, for more than two years, and in the U.S. 

Lee was a natural leader with many talents and gifts. He was passionate about his family, friends, and the 160+ military men and women he mentored. He loved sharing and teaching whatever he learned with others. All those that he touched during his life will attest to the everlasting effect he had on their lives. Lee and his wife Stacey went to high school together; however, it wasn’t until later on in life that they reconnected on Facebook and would still debate over who liked each other’s profile first.  

CMSGT Henry successfully battled cancer for a first time, however, it came back in 2016. Never a smoker, Lee was diagnosed with lung cancer which had spread throughout his body. He became aware of it after a route colonoscopy. Staring down the road of challenges and battles he would face, he refused to never give up no matter how bad it would get. Lee responded “the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time”.  

Lee passed away at home on January 16, 2018 after a 5-year courageous battle with cancer. One of the final thoughts from CMSGT Henry in an article from Westover Air Reserve Base was in his preparation to fight. Being in shape and fit to fight, he noticed he was having breathing issues which prompted him to say “that isn’t right” and went to his doctor.  

Many of you here were exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals, whether it was from Agent Orange, asbestos, or burn pits in various countries. On behalf of CMSGT Henry, I would ask you to do two things: 1. Get your colonoscopy as normally scheduled. 2. If you have breathing issues or something “doesn’t feel right” please talk to your Doctor and get checked out and don’t delay.   

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers Chief Master Sergeant Lee E. Henry for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. His life continues to inspire all who learn his story.