On the afternoon of May 26, Judie (Collier) Henry went home to be with the Lord.

Judie was born in Enid, Oklahoma. Her father, Roy Collier, was a civil engineer with Champlin Oil all of his career. Her mother, Marion, was a homemaker known for her gourmet cooking. Judie, the eldest of three children, became an accomplished pianist and was baptized at the First Baptist Church. She graduated from Enid High School in 1958, where she was involved in student council, president of the Bravettes pep squad, the piano accompanist for the chorus, and was elected queen of the Aquaettes synchronized swimming team.

When Judie finished her second year of college at Oklahoma State University, she was restless for adventure. She bid her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters au revoir, moved to San Francisco with her childhood friend, Marilyn Dixon, and quickly landed a secretarial job in the financial district.

Judie's first real adventure occurred when she was invited to attend a luncheon hosted by the Tuesday Downtown Operators and Observers club, a group of young bachelors who worked in the financial district. The bonus to that luncheon was that it was covered by Life Magazine. The two-page article with five large photos can be found in the February 3, 1961 issue.

While attending a party across the bay in Tiberon, Judie met a young Naval Officer strumming a guitar and singing with a small group. She joined in and he quickly recognized her singing talent. A friendship began. She learned that his ship was moored at Treasure Island, and that he had seen the Life magazine that had been delivered to his ship while at sea via a mail drop from a P2V aircraft.

Two days after the party, her new friend invited Judie to dinner at the Officer's Club on the Island, and their romance began. Soon, he was off to sea again. Judie watched from a window in her boss's office as Steve Henry's ship sailed out to sea under the Golden Gate Bridge.

The romance blossomed between month-long patrols. The couple resolved to marry, but Judie wanted to finish college and her teaching credential. Steve began his law studies, while Judie returned to Oklahoma to finish her education and graduate from Phillips University. They finally married in June of 1964 in Enid at the First Baptist Church then honeymooned in Newport, Rhode Island, where Steve had returned to temporary active duty to teach navigation at the Officer's Candidate School for three months.

The newlyweds found an apartment in an old converted mansion at 6 Sunnyside Place, not far from the Naval Base. On the Base they played tennis on clay courts several times a week and sailed a Rhodes 19 sailboat in races on Narraganset Bay on Wednesdays and Saturdays and other days just for relaxing. On Fridays the Officer’s Club prepared seafood of many kinds on large self-serve platters and featured live music for dancing, including Duke Ellington and his small orchestra.

Returning to California, Steve began work at the Hartford Insurance Co. while Judie returned to work at Dodge & Cox Mutual Funds. Steve's job took them to Stockton where they bought their first house. Judie taught school for several years before welcoming two daughters, Marion and Kristen.

The family moved to Fresno, California, in 1969 when Steve took a job with the District Attorney’s office. Judie enjoyed being part of the Lawyers Wives Club, Bible Study Fellowship, teaching Sunday school, doing pottery work and art, attending her book club, spending time at their cabin in Big Creek, and later their home in Cambria. After her girls were grown, she went back to teaching ESL and later taught at Edison Computech. Music remained a great pleasure for Judie. She often played piano at church, sang in the chorus of the operetta La Boheme and played duets with Steve on his trombone.

She is survived by Steve, her husband of 62 years, daughters Marion Broughton and Kristen (Ross) Harper, beloved grandchildren Rachel (Caleb) DeLon, Anna Harper, and Will Broughton, and great granddaughter, Daisy DeLon. She is also survived by her sister Christine Roe, nephew Tony (Amy) Roe and niece Christy (Michael) James.

Judie was blessed to have many friends. Each one was special, and she always remembered names and details about their families and activities.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to:

Bible Study Fellowship, International
P.O. Box 675241
Dallas TX 75267-5241
https://www.bsfinternational.org/support

Rotary Club of Fresno Foundation
P.O. Box 11904
Fresno, CA 93775
(Judie was an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Fresno with a Paul Harris Fellowship. 100% of tax-deductible donations benefit Fresno community projects).

Events:

Interment
Monday, July 6, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
(Must arrive by 10:45 a.m. to “Henry” staging area).
San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery
32053 West McCabe Road
Santa Nella, CA 95322

Celebration of Life:
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Followed by a Reception Luncheon
Trinity Community Church
12168 North Willow Avenue
Clovis, CA 93619