Rodney Henke

If you would like, please wear a Harley Davidson t-shirt in memory of Rodney.

Everyone is invited after for food and celebration at El Gabacho Tex Mex Grill 2408 W Abram St.  Arlington, TX 76013.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for continued donations to Rodney’s Go Fund Me site to  help the family.  https://gofund.me/d43ca37b Please consider going to give blood at your local blood donation center to honor Rodney’s memory.

Rodney was born in Hackensack, NJ to Joyce and Ron Henke.  Later his family relocated to Dallas.

When Rodney was first introduced to sports in Texas, he was a stand out  in football and track and field.  The friendships he made playing sports still last til this day.  He was known to be the tough guy in Duncanville High School.

Rodney worked in the trade show industry for many years with his parents, brother and many friends.  He was known across the country and the industry as a trusted and skilled rigger.  He was not known for being on time or answering his phone.  He was a member of Local 491 Carpenters Union and the Decorators Union Local 756.

Rodney was rich with friends from all over the country who he would see in his work travels. He took beautiful photographs of the scenery in his travels and bought A LOT of Harley Davidson t-shirts.  He tried to get one from every city he visited.

Paulette and her son Michael came into Rodney’s life in 1988 and made him a father.  Rodney’s pride in being Michael’s father could only be overshadowed by his love of being “Papa Rod” to his five grandchildren.  Whenever Rodney was not traveling he could often be found watching the grandkid’s sporting events.  His grandchildren were the light of his life.

Rodney loved his family. He was the big brother, proud uncle and great uncle.  He “came with jokes” and a smile on his face.  He had a positive attitude and a kind heart.  He was an animal lover, and animals seemed to love his gentle spirit and gravitate to him. He was most happy when he was trying to make someone else happy by giving or helping.  He loved to decorate for Halloween and Christmas – the bigger the better.

As Rodney would say, “Who would have thought…….” Paulette and he decided to be each others forever in 2019.   He wanted Paulette to have whatever she wanted to make her happy.  Their love story is long and winding, and they had big laughs together and big plans for their forever future together.

Rodney passed away peacefully with his forever, Paulette, by his side at 56 years old.

Rodney is survived by:

His wife and “forever” Paulette Deatherage;

His son Michael Deatherage and his wife Leslie;

His grandchildren: David, Riley, Larry, Chris, and Sammy Deatherage;

His three sisters Renee Underwood, Melissa Killebrew and her husband Keith, Stacy Maiden and her husband Chris;

His brother Greg Henke and his wife Melanie;

His brothers & sisters in law Steve and Kelley Karnes; Larry and Shelley Karnes

His nieces and nephews – Lauren Sellers and her husband Evan and their son Ben; Aubreyanna Underwood, Kyle Underwood and his wife Bryttne,  Alicia Maiden and her husband Zach, Brianna Maiden and her son Jace, Brandon Maiden and Keegan Killebrew, Shayla and her husband Kole Karnes, Emily Sparks, Tanner Sparks, Harli Karnes, Luke Gunter

His mother & father in law Mary & Garry Windle.

His dog Penny, many loving friends and a large extended family of people he loved.