In loving memory of Henri Klingler

11/16/1941 - 11/24/2015

Location: Jesup, Georgia

Visits: 4,084

This memorial was created in honor of Harold Henri Klingler, Jr. of Jesup, Georgia. Henri was born on November 16, 1941 in Akron, Ohio and passed on November 24, 2015. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all friends and family.

Henri Klingler lived a life full of laughter and love. After a brief stint in Akron, Ohio, he moved with his father, mother, and two brothers to Shopton, Alabama, which he always claimed as 'Home.' He attended Junior High School in Union Springs, and then graduated from Marion Military Institute. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and joined the Army as an artillery officer in 1965. His military exploits, while relatively short-lived, forged lifelong friendships and had a strong influence on his later life. He left the Army in 1970 in central California. It was there that he met his bride-to-be, Janet, through a real estate agent named Bill Verheyen (who also happened to be Janet's father). Though it was not quite love at first sight, Janet and Henri were fast friends, and were married in June of '72. These two shared many adventures together: raising five children and putting them through college; owning houses, motels, sailboats, and a school bus; teaching and administrating a Christian school; running a vending business; living in four states with plans to move to a fifth. He was an engineer, an entrepreneur, a carpenter, an entertainer, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend, among many other hats worn through 74 rich years of life.

Henri loved to laugh. He was often the life of the party, and he will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. In particular, his wife of 43+ years and his five children will find it impossible to fill this painful void. We will cherish the memories of times shared with him in happier and healthier times, and we will all live our lives deeply affected by his love and influence.