Henry Allen Venzant, 67, was called Home by his Heavenly Father on Thursday, December 27, 2018.

Born in Belden, MS on January 17, 1951, Henry was the son of the late Robert Wesley and Via Ella (née: Smith) Venzant. Moving to Wisconsin at the age of 15, Henry graduated from Horlick High School in Racine in 1969 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree (1976) and two master's degrees (1980 and 1982) from UW-Stout. Henry was united in marriage to Rhonda Lynn Venzant (née: Herman) in a beautiful park in Eau Claire, WI on August 17, 1974. Henry and Rhonda began their marriage by serving in the Peace Corps, stationed in Suva, Fiji, where they created lifelong friendships and memories, and had their first child. Henry began his professional career in private industry at Unisys and then Lockheed Martin, where he helped develop computer systems for military defense and also worked on the Doplar weather system we use today. However, most knew him from his second career as an industrial arts and technology education teacher, first at Milwaukee Technology High School followed by many years at Washington Park High School in Racine, until he retired in 2010. Henry attended Greater Mt. Eagle Missionary Baptist Church and was a member of the Racine Area Educators Retirees Association. Outside of work, Henry loved to play bridge, chess, and was an avid bowler.

Henry leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Rhonda; children, Terah Talei (Glenn) Chambers of East Lansing, MI, Domonique Anare Venzant of Minneapolis, MN, Vanea Heidi (Rodney) Marten of Wausau, WI, and Ahron Jordan Venzant of West St. Paul, MN; grandson, Langston Malcolm Toure Chambers of East Lansing, MI; sister, Monica Ann Dixon of Kenosha, WI; brother, Rufus VanGerald (Merchell) Venzant-Moore of West Memphis, AR; step-sisters, Lula Williams and Diana Moore; step-brothers, Sam Moore and Odie Moore of Kansas City, MO; aunts Pinkie Smith of Racine, WI, Louise Smith of Racine, WI, and Everlena Smith of New Albany, MS; uncle, James (Marie) Venzant Sr of Memphis, TN; and godchild, D'Angelo Darion Ronal Dixon of Racine, WI. While his parents pursued job opportunities in the North, Henry and his siblings spent their childhood with their grandparents on the family farm in Olive Branch, MS, where they were raised with family they considered siblings: his aunt, Corine (Charles) Brown of Lima, OH; his cousin, Georgia Mae Smith of Racine, WI; and his uncle, Rufus (Gwen) Scott of Olive Branch, MS. Henry also leaves to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, former students, and friends too numerous to mention. In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by grandfathers, Nathaniel Smith, Albert Venzant, and Rufus Scott; grandmothers, Daisy (née Harper) Scott and Luralee (née Tyson) Venzant; step-father, Willie Moore; brothers, Robert Lee Venzant Jr, Oliver Curtis Venzant, and Robert Venzant III; sister, Reba Lou Griffin; step-brother, Willie Moore; brother-in-law, Floyd Griffin; and three aunts and three uncles.

Service Details

Henry's Homegoing Service will be held at Greater Mt. Eagle Missionary Baptist Church, 929 State St., on Saturday, January 5 ^th at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Keith T. Evans officiating. Visitation will be in the church the same day from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery.

Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists