Henry C. LaRue

Henry C. LaRue, 99, of Mexia, Texas, passed away May 28, 2022 at his home. 

Henry was born to Harry C LaRue and Mamie Hall LaRue on July 25, 1922 in New Haven, Connecticut. He entered the army’s 12th armored division in 1942 and was stationed at Fort Knox, in Kentucky, Camp Stoneman in California, Camp Barkley in Abilene, Texas, and the prisoner of war camp in Mexia, Texas

While stationed at the prisoner of war camp in Mexia, he met the love of his life, Virginia Lee Chrisner and they were married on December 2, 1944. Henry and Virginia moved to Rockville Center, New York after his discharge from the service in 1945 where he worked for the United States Postal Service. While in New York they welcomed a daughter, Virginia Elaine. In 1948, they returned to make Mexia their home. Henry worked for Berry Barnett for a short time until becoming employed by the Texas Highway Department where he remained for 26 ½ years until he retired. In 1953, they welcomed a son, Larry Charles. Henry also served as Commander of the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 40 for over 16 years. Henry and Virginia were lifelong members of Calvary Baptist Church in Mexia. At the time of Virginia’s death in 2013 they had been married 68 years

Henry helped build the Calvary Baptist Church and is the last one of the older men that built the church. Henry drove the first bus the church owned which was a yellow school bus and went around and picked up the older church members who did not drive. 

Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Lee Chrisner LaRue; son, Larry Charles LaRue; great great grandsons Branson Ray Hardesty, Bryce Loy Hardesty, Bryn Orrey Hardesty; sister, Agnes Combs and husband Eugene; nephew, Robert Combs; parents, Harry and Mamie LaRue; sister in law Mae Chrisner Gardner and husband Charlie; sister in law Ellen Chrisner New and husband Charlie; Sister in law Tump Chrisner Asher and husband Cecil; brother in law Thomas Chrisner; brother in law Buster Chrisner and wife Velma; brother in law Carl Chrisner; brother in law Curtis Chrisner and wife Mary Helen; nephews Eddie Chrisner, Alvie Chrisner, Raymond Chrisner, Alton Chrisner, and Kenny Chrisner; niece Charlene Gardner Patterson; great nieces Jackie Gordon and Nella Jean Patterson; great-great nephews Adam Gordon and Landon Rusnak; and great great niece Brandie Patterson Martinez.

He is survived by his daughter, Virginia Elaine Schulte and husband, Bill; daughter-in-law, Cleshay Brown LaRue Allen and husband Jeff; grandchildren, William Schulte and wife, Judy; Belinda Thomas, Blaine Schulte and wife, Tammy; Bruce Schulte; Laramie LaRue and wife, Lauren;  great grandchildren; Bryan Schulte; Jeffrey Schulte; Brandie Hardesty and husband Dakota; Brittany Schulte and fiancé Sam Baez; Bethany Schulte and Jonathon Haddock; Jay Vecera; Remington LaRue; Great great granddaughter Amelia Jade Baez.

Nieces, Lavonza Barkouskie and husband David Beard, Linda Harper, Carolyn Doss and husband, Bill, Linda Chrisner, Christa Chrisner McCeig and husband Larry, Christine Combs Moore, Aniece Sepulveda, and Martha Chrisner; nephews,  Joseph Combs and wife Florence, Jo Ed New and wife Linda Kay, Bobby New and wife Sue, James Edgar Chrisner and wife Sharon.  Billy Jack Patterson and numerous extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Jones Funeral Home in Mexia and 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church prior to service. Funeral Services will be held Friday, June 3, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Calvary Baptist Church in Mexia, with Pastor Shane Norcross and Brother James Hooper officiating. interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery with military honors.

Pallbearers will be Brian Schulte, Jonathon Haddock, Sam Baez, David Beard, and Michael Barkouskie. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Jack Patterson, John Tacker, Jess Whisler, Bill Groth, and Ron Williams, Bobby Jack Liles , Jo Ed New, Bobby New, Bill Doss, Billy Ray Patterson and Larry McCeig.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Penny Liggins and the entire staff of  Guardian Home Health for the excellent care provided to Henry over the years.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in honor of Henry to the Disabled American Veterans Service Office at 701 Clay Avenue in Waco, Texas.   Donations may also be made in honor of Henry to the Calvary Baptist Church 519 South Mckinney St. in Mexia.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry C. LaRue, please visit our floral store.