Henry G. Aaron, Jr.

Henry G. Aaron, Jr., 82, passed into eternal glory on October 28, 2024 in Tulsa, OK. A longtime Oklahoma educator, he was a kind, gentle, faith-filled, and generous family man and community leader.

Henry was born to Mary Olive (Walch) Aaron and Henry G. Aaron, Sr. on January 27, 1942 in Oklahoma City, where he spent all but a few years of his life. He graduated from Bishop John Carroll School and Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology and biology from St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas, and a master’s degree in counseling from Central State University, graduating summa cum laude. While in college in Kansas he met his wife JoEllen Barrett. They married on May 30, 1966, and they remained devoted to each other for fifty-eight years until his death.

Henry had a long and fruitful career in education, during which time he enlightened thousands of young people, and developed the careers of hundreds of staff members. He was principal of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (1973-76), principal of Deer Creek Junior High (1976-78), assistant principal of Mayfield Junior High (1978-81), principal of Hefner Junior High (1981-1993), and concluded his career as a counselor at Putnam City West High School in 2002.

Henry was at the center of his extended family, which traveled, worshipped, and spent leisure time together. He retained a youthful and playful personality his entire life. He enjoyed fishing, camping, cycling and being outside, and attending the school activities of his children. An enthusiastic hobbyist, his garage workbench was constantly cluttered with projects. He was funny and never met a gag gift he didn’t like, and took great delight in his four grandchildren.

A life-long parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Oklahoma City, Henry was a devoted Catholic and gave his time, talent, and treasure to the parish family. He spent thousands of hours at the church over his lifetime, serving on the board of Bishop John Carroll School and volunteering in multiple roles, including as a eucharistic minister and lector, in the marriage preparation program, as an RCIA sponsor, as a member of the parish council, as an assistant scoutmaster, and at the Christmas tree lot. Affected by Alzheimer’s late in life, he retained his authenticity and good humor, and was sustained by his faith and by the loving care provided by JoEllen.

In addition to his wife JoEllen, he is survived by son Gregory and his wife Jeanette of Philadelphia and their daughters Catherine and Therese; daughter Laura Nelson and her husband Todd of Tulsa; and son Michael and wife Elizabeth of Maplewood, New Jersey and their sons Nicholas and Henry; and his sister Patricia Aaron. He was predeceased by his parents Henry and Mary Aaron, his uncle the Reverend John L. Walch, and his sister Mary Anne Aaron.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday November 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 3214 N. Lake Ave., Oklahoma City.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to Bishop John Carroll Cathedral School; checks should note in the memo:Tuition Assistance Program.