Henry Lewis Christmon, beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle passed away January 19th 2021. Born January 6th, 1935 in Richmond, Indiana to parents John and Lucille Christmon. The middle child of six siblings.
From an early age his parents instilled in him a great love for family, and an appreciation of hard work. As a teen his father helped him manage a newspaper route. Henry saved that money and upon graduation from Richmond High School he used his earnings to attend Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts with a Minor in Humanities, Accounting, and Economics. After graduating he was drafted into the United States Army in 1957 and stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Private First Class, a member of the Military police he was honored with The Good Conduct Medal.
Following his time in the Army, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he worked selling life insurance and met the love of his life, Kathleen Baughman, in December of 1959. Henry asked Kathleen’s father for her hand in marriage promising him that he would build her a house. They were married on September 24th, 1960. Henry kept his word and three months later they moved into the home he built for them in Lincoln Heights, Ohio.
Deeply valuing education, he furthered his studies, by enrolling in Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio where he received a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Afterward, he continued his graduate studies at Kent School of Social Work in Louisville, Kentucky.
The couple welcomed four children into their loving home Scott, Gregory, Roderick, and Jonathan. His children will remember him as: loving, patient, kind, driven and always one to find a project. Fondly they remember Saturdays spent together, with their father while working on one of the many apartment buildings he owned. Henry even named the business, CWS LLC that stood for – “Christmon, Wife, and Sons”. He had a way of encouraging his sons to do their best and pursue their goals.
Henry was a pioneer who developed and implemented programs that enabled both youth and adults to obtain the skills and education necessary to succeed in life. On November 15, 1967, United States Vice President Hubert Humphrey, wrote a letter to Henry expressing his gratitude for his service to the City of Cincinnati after he had visited his office.
Henry finally retired in 1995, over the course of his career with City of Cincinnati he held many positions some of which included:
– Director of the Neighborhood Youth Core
– Director of Citizens Committee on Youth
– Director of Employment and Training Specialist at
– Director of CETA program
Henry was a generous, witty, and dedicated individual who loved being with his family and friends. He was passionate about equal rights, education, and tradition. He enjoyed vacations. From extended stays in Florida with friends like the Rowes, and the Gillespies, to the annual Christmon family trip to Hilton Head Island. A consummate family man, he loved his children and grandchildren. He was never one to miss a home cooked meal his beloved Kat (Kathleen) prepared, especially her Sunday dinners and her Monkey Bread. As the family grew his daughter- in-laws each added something new to savor: Chrissy’s smothered pork chops, Nicole’s mac & cheese, Rosalinda’s quesadillas, and Jessica introduced him to the Keurig coffee machine.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucille Christmon and siblings: Mary Lou Gooding (George Gooding), Rev. Kenneth A. Christmon Sr. (Carolyn), John “Sonny” Christmon Jr., Rev. Robert “Bobby” Christmon Sr. (Lucinda), Anne Mae Harlin.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen Christmon; his children Scott Christmon (Christine), Gregory Christmon (Jessica), Roderick Christmon (Rosalinda), and Jonathan Christmon Sr. (Nicole); his nine grandchildren Ashli, Austin, Alexzander, Jonathan Jr., Simone, Diego, Laila, Gabriele, and Mia; his sister-in-law Carolyn Christmon, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and good friends.