Henry Thomas Darter Jr. (Tex) age 89, of Orlando, Florida, peacefully passed away on Friday, October 8, 2021, in his sleep at his family home in Orlando.
Henry was born on September 8, 1932 in Rhome, Texas, son to the late Henry Thomas Darter Sr. and Grace Wilma Hays.
Henry was affectionately known as Tex to his friends, Daddy, to daughter Vicki, Papa to all his grandchildren and Tommy or Uncle Tommy to his family back in Texas. Henry leaves behind family members to cherish his memory; his daughter Vicki Schram, her husband Patrick, two grandchildren from son, Justin Darter, his wife Khrissy, Autumn Stevens, her husband David, two grandchildren from daughter, Brody and Kasey Schram, and five great grandchildren; Chelsea Ashworth, Tanner Caldwell, Corey Caldwell, Mackenzie Stevens, Kylee Darter as well as his sister Verda Pearl Coats and many nieces and nephews.
Henry was a Texan. As a young man he started out as a dishwasher and then worked in the meat supply industry. Henry joined the United States Air Force and served his country for 20 years. After retirement from the military, he moved his family to North Carolina where he was a mechanics teacher for the high school that his son Steven attended. As a family they decided to relocate to Orlando, FL., where he worked as a mechanic for Sears and Roebuck. Sears needed help in the carpet and tile department and Henry gave it a chance and that's how he got started in flooring and decided to open his own flooring business. Henry was a jack of all trades. In the final home that Henry and Jill built, Henry was the contractor and built it with his family. His son Steven helped build most of it as well as Henry's wife Jill, daughter Vicki and many other close family members and friends. Henry retired from carpet installation but continued to enjoy working on his many rental properties and enjoyed working in his yard and garden with his wife Jill. Henry did his part to contribute to society and was a life time member of the VFW 4278 as well as a Free Mason member of the Pine Castle lodge. Henry also enjoyed going on social media sites, checking email and playing video games on the computer.
Henry always put everyone before himself. He would do anything to help anyone in need. He had a great skill of always wanting to teach others how to fix things themselves. Henry worked hard his whole life to make it better for his family.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Jill, whom he missed dearly and longed to be united with, his son Steven Thomas Darter, his parents Henry Thomas Darter Sr and Grace Wilma Hays, brother Donald Eldon, and sisters Nancy Lee, Virginia Ann, Alice Pauleen.
Graveside Service: Chapel Hill Cemetery
Saturday , January 22, 2022 at 2:00pm
Chapel Hill Cemetery, 2400 Harrell Rd, Orlando, FL 32817
Newcomer - E. Orlando Chapel (407-277-4227) is assisting the family