(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Jim Henley, class of 1942, appeared in Bexley News on July 1, 2008)  7/12/08

Founder of July Fourth parade to have title of honor

By SARA JOHNSON

SNP photo by Tim Johnson Jim Henley, who helped start Bexley's tradition of having a July Fourth parade, is being recognized this year's Citizen of the Year. Henley poses with one of his golf clubs, highlighting another interest of his.

Henley served as president during his time with the association from 1953-58. He jumped on the band wagon as other nearby communities started forming parades for the Fourth of July.

He decided the city needed a parade, but it wasn't easy to organize the first one, Henley said. Two weeks before the parade, Henley learned it had no entries.

Instead of giving up, Henley pushed on to tell association members to get busy.

That first parade ultimately stepped off with 14 entries and two bands.

Henley said he hasn't missed one parade since, although now he sees entries upwards to 150 pass by.

"People enjoy seeing people they haven't seen for years (at the parade). It gives people a lot of opportunity to visit and sit in front yards. It's just a great celebration, and it's added greatly to the community," Henley said.

A familiar face in the community

As a graduate of Bexley High School in 1942, Henley maintained his presence is Bexley for years to come.

He briefly attended Capital University for his freshman year, working toward a degree in business administration, but enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after. He attended Denison University for more than a year for officer training, and continued his education in 1943 at Northwestern MidShipmen's School of Chicago.

In January 1944, he traveled with the Army's Seventh Amphibious Force to the Philippines as a commanding officer of a landing craft tank.

Upon returning home from war in 1946, he worked at Schorr-Ketner Furniture on East Broad Street until 1958. He then started what would be his long run in the real estate business by working at J. Elmer Redd Realty in Bexley from 1958-70. He took over the company, and merged with HER Realtors, which he remained affiliated with until 1980.

He then bought the RE/MAX East franchise on East Main Street, and operated it for 25 years, until his retirement in 2005. He still owns the property.

Even though he moved out of Bexley in 1973, he and his wife of 62 years, Neva, still live close to Bexley in their Berwick home.

He has been member of the Eastern Kiwanis since 1958. He received a lifetime achievement award in real estate in 2005 from the Columbus Board of Realtors in 2005. A member of the board since 1950, Henley also was awarded the Realtor Emertis Award this year for his long membership.

Honored to have made the list

To distinguish the Citizen of the Year, the Bexley Celebrations Association sent out nomination forms to its mailing list. People were asked to describe the qualities that made their particular nominee worthy of being the Citizen of the Year, whether it be volunteer service of special projects, either very public or behind the scenes, Lewis said.

The association then passed on the names to its board and the Fourth of July Committee for voting.

"I feel very honored, appreciative and pleased to receive this award," Henley said. "It's unique that I graduated from Bexley and spent my entire career in Bexley. I'm still there, in one way or another."

Just like in previous years, Henley will ride in a 1922 Lincoln vehicle, the color of charcoal, with his friend, Gary Baas. His name will be announced during the celebration at Capital University, and he will be presented with a plaque.

"He provides a tradition of the Bexley parade, and because of him, we have this long history of an event in Bexley that people love. I would have to credit him with making this event today what it is," Lewis said.

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