In loving memory of Larry Henry

10/31/1942 - 1/4/2021

The Life of Larry A Henry

Larry Henry enjoyed a lifetime in the world of automotive performance and racing. His first job was working the counter of a NAPA parts store in California. That lasted only a short time, until he jumped at the opportunity to join Keith Black Racing as the parts manager. In 1969 he moved to Detroit and joined Chrysler’s budding performance and race parts group and stayed for 30 years.
Larry helped develop the first Chrysler Performance Parts catalog in 1970. It was an eight-page typed black and white brochure of hard-core racing parts. Mopar Parts had separately introduced a performance parts program of its own called "Hustle Stuff" (mainly street performance), in 1968. The two programs were soon combined. Larry was part of the new group and became a key contributor to every performance and race parts catalog from then on. The group’s first catalog was titled “1971 Drag Racing Parts Catalog.” The program was titled Direct Connection, around 1972, and eventually became Mopar Performance with Larry as a mainstay.
In 1975, Direct Connection created the Kit Car parts program, the industry’s first “over the counter” complete race car kit from an automobile manufacturer. Larry was part of the development team and he managed the end result.
Over the years, Larry had many responsibilities at Direct Connection and Mopar Performance. So many, that it is difficult to recall all of them. A few are:
• Product Line Manager
• Mopar Performance News editor
• Racer and enthusiast liaison for all forms of motorsports, including NASCAR, ARCA, NHRA, AHRA, ARCA, IMSA, SCCA, IROC, Land Speed, car clubs and race tracks
• Drag Racing Manager for all corporate sponsored teams from team colors to engineering assistance to funding
• Representing and promoting Mopar at trade shows, races and car club activities
• Develop, coordinate and provide parts for Dodge’s IROC program and, later, Dodge’s return to SCCA’s Trans Am series.
Larry’s career enabled him to develop close friendships with many top pro and hobby racers alike. His circle of friends extended into the enthusiast world of street rods, muscle cars, antique cars and classic cars. He attended many car shows and races on his own, as an enthusiast, but always looking out for and encouraging Chrysler fans. His technical and historical knowledge of Chrysler products, trim, colors and accessories was widely recognized. He received honors from clubs, organizations and the industry. In 2017 he was inducted into the Mopar Collector's Guide "Mopar Hall of Fame."
A seemingly endless, eclectic collection of Chrysler cars and trucks passed through Larry’s life. All of them received pet names – Matilda (1926 Dodge), Flo (1937 Airflow), Louigi (new Fiat) and so on.
Retirement took the Henrys to Buckeye, Arizona in 1999. There Larry enjoyed hiking the White Tank Mountains, traveling the U.S. with Glenda in their motorhome, visiting friends and family and, of course, attending car events.
Larry was born October 31, 1942 in East Liverpool, Ohio and passed on January 4, 2021 in Buckeye. He had been experiencing health issues, which developed into an aggressive cancer. He is survived by Glenda, four children, six grandchildren and his brother Hiram. The family has created a virtual memorial at http://never-gone.com/memorials/mediaitem.aspx?m=qgz62CAtPc2wdTw0HHhXSQ%3d%3d&i=122715 Larry requested that donations in his name be made to Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation https://www.checkeredflagfoundation.org/donate.html

 

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