Thomas Charles Henley

“The road goes on forever and the party never ends.” – the Highwaymen
Loyal husband and father, champion of the burdened, irreverently-humble servant of God.
The Henley family must painfully share the news that one of God’s great souls has broken the bonds of
human frailty and left our shores.
Thomas Charles Henley died peacefully at home on August 7, 2024 with his wife Judy at his side, his
“puppies” Tess and Wrangler dutifully on patrol, and miniature donkeys Spec and Peanut seemingly
inattentive. Almost exactly how he would have wanted to depart this Earth.
Born on October 28, 1940 in Omaha, Nebraska to parents John and Sylvia Henley, he spent his
formative years in the Cornhusker State. Crazy like a fox, he and his older brother Jack channeled their
sardonic quick wit and above-average intelligence into activities that were the bane of local law
enforcement and general civility. Growing to the age of maturity, Tom was forced to part ways with his
local friend group (“SPIT” – the Society for the Perpetration of Indolence and Turpitude), and put his
mind to more constructive pursuits.
After finishing his undergraduate years at the University of Nebraska, where he also earned his law
degree, Tom was awarded the E. Barrett Prettyman fellowship at Georgetown University, where he
honed his skills as a criminal defense lawyer and stoked his passion for defending the downtrodden
while working for what is now known as the Public Defender Service in Washington, D.C. Following the
assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the ensuing riots in our Nation’s Capitol, he moved to
Colorado where he became a Deputy District Attorney in El Paso County. There he met his wife Judy,
whom he would marry within weeks of their first meeting – a mortal bond that lasted to his death more
than 53 years later.
Tom’s legal career resulted in more strong friendships than can be listed here; highly regarded by the
local El Paso Bar Association and also the Colorado Supreme Court Grievance Committee, Tom’s durable
reputation for honor and integrity were the source of inspiration for past, present and future legal
practitioners.
After his retirement from the practice of law in 2017, Tom gave an irreverent and self-deprecating
farewell to his local colleagues. With more time to devote to incivility and turpitude, Tom passionately
thrust himself into a daily discourse of reading, watching and thinking about the state of American
politics. A self-appointed Ukrainian defender, after Russia’s invasion in 2022, he proudly exhibited the
Ukrainian flag at home and in public.
Tom was loved by everyone who had the privilege of encountering his spirit. But those of us who love
him fiercely will never be able to escape the sense of loss. He is survived by his wife Judy; daughter
Virginia, sons Gabe and Bryant and grandchildren Deric, Kevin, Dresden, Éowyn, Lucas, and Maddie.
May our souls reunite when our own mortal journey is at an end.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak region https://www.hsppr.org

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