Henry Massey, Jr, age 78 of Rock Hill, SC passed on Tuesday, March 3rd (2026).
Henry was born on November 16,1948 to Henry Massey, Sr. and Carolyn Johnson Massey.
He has three sisters: Phoebe Massey Evans, Carolyn (Lynn) Edens, Ida Massey Shelton.
Henry was a lifetime resident of Rock Hill, SC. He attended Central School and was a 1967
graduate of Rock Hill High School. He cherished his “Black Street” friends and the Rock
Hill High School Flames (Stuart Parrish, Jimmy Pope, Dickie Smth, Tommy Ward, Wayne
Wingate). Henry loved spending time at his family’s river house (on Lake Wylie) and water
skiing. One of his favorite childhood memories was attending basketball camp at Rupp
Area. He attended Montreat College and often told stories of playing basketball and being
“recruited” to play soccer in his Chuck Taylor hightops.
Henry worked at The Bleachery and National Gypsum as an accountant. In retirement he
enjoyed woodworking and painting.
Henry married Gayle Kiker on December 18, 1967. They have two children – twins – Lauren
Poag and Henry Rion.
Henry was an avid sports fan. He spent hours playing basketball with Lauren, Rion and
their friends in the driveway of the family home. He cheered for the Duke Bluedevils and
never hid his dislike of the UNC Tarheels. He delighted in horse racing and meeting
American Pharaoh after winning the 2015 Triple Crown at Coolmore Stables. He enjoyed
following the Atlanta Braves and the Tour de France. He could turn any vacation bike ride
into an adventure. Henry was an animal lover, compassionately caring for the family dogs
and cats.
Henry was proceeded in death by his parents and sisters Lynn and Phoebe.
His surviving family are his wife Gayle Kiker Massey, his daughter Lauren Massey West
(James Alan West), his son Henry Rion Massey (Beth Gregory Freeman), his grandchildren
Henry Peyton Massey, Daven Poag West, Rion Cole Massey, his sister Ida Massey Shelton,
nephews Gregory Ferrell, Rob Evans and nieces Alison Evans Ingles and Amy Evans.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at 4:00 p.m. at Laurelwood
Cemetery in Rock Hill, SC.