Robert John "RJ" Henrichs

The family of Robert John “RJ” Henrichs, 96, is saddened by his passing on February 8, 2025 at home in Oklahoma City from natural causes. RJ was a unique character.

He was born in Iola, Kansas on November 11, 1928. His parents, Tell and Harriette (Vosburgh) Henrichs, moved to Oklahoma when he was young. He had three younger siblings, one brother and two sisters. When he was young, people called him “Bobby.” During high school he worked at Tulsa Cash Wallpaper & Paint Co., a store owned by his grandparents’ (on his mother’s side). He graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1946. He was in the Marine Reserves. RJ married his wonderful wife of 74+ years, Alvina Garcia, on October 10, 1950, in Tulsa.

RJ was drafted into the Army and served two years, including eighteen months in Germany. He was a corporal and a radio operator using morse code. After he left the Army, he went to work as a salesman in the retail paint business. He worked for several companies in Dallas, Tulsa, and McAlester before moving to Oklahoma City in 1964. This is where he would become the store manager at the new Sherwin-Williams store in the just completed Shepherd Mall.

RJ fathered seven beautiful and talented children who he loved very much. Much more than they probably know. Every one of them will tell you that he taught and showed them the value of hard work. 

In March 1970, RJ started his own business, Pirates Alley Picture Frames. While he and his wife were on vacation in New Orleans, they visited a street called Pirates Alley. This alley was filled with artists who displayed their paintings there. Since his business was putting frames on artwork, he figured the name “Pirates Alley Picture Frames” fit with what would become his life’s work. 

At first, he did the manufacturing out of his garage until he built up the business and could rent another location. When he first started his business, he would have his young children work there sometimes. That was when he got the name “RJ,” because it sounded more professional than calling him Dad in a work environment. The business has been successful and is still being operated today by his wife and some of his children. He was very proud of that. 

RJ was a very good salesman and being a salesman is one of the toughest jobs. He enjoyed chatting with the customers. He always had a funny story to tell or a joke. He loved to smile. He also liked to make people smile and laugh. He used to say, “Laugh with me or laugh at me but laugh!” He had a heart that touched other people’s hearts. 

RJ had an unusual perspective on life and acted that way. He had a multifaceted personality. He was very smart, creative, clever, ornery, a bit of a rebel, a bit of a contrarian, a bit obstinate and a bit of a showman. He enjoyed playing chess and reading books about chess. He had a knack for being able to remember the names of everyone he met. He coached little league baseball and umpired softball games. He tried ranching and farming for a while. He liked to eat tamales and moon pies. He loved chocolate, but not chocolate covered cherries. He got the biggest kicks out of dancing to 1950s era music with his beloved Alvina. They even won a dance contest one time.

During the mid-1960s, one of his sisters-in-laws hit some hard times. In order to help her out, she and her five kids moved in with the family for a little over a year. Soon after they moved out, his brother fell into some trouble. To help out, his brother’s six kids moved in with the family for over a year. So, for a three-year period, he acted as a father for 12 & 13 kids. That was an amazing display of compassion and generosity. And a lot of work. 

When the Jesus House first started, he helped them find a location and paid part of the rent for a while to help them get established. Every year, Pirates Alley would frame and deliver the official Festival of the Arts posters that were given to the major donors. Due to the Murrah building bombing in April 1995, the Festival of the Arts was cancelled that year. The Festival owed Pirates Alley a bill and did not have the money to pay it. So, Mr. Henrichs marked the bill “Paid” and sent it to them as a donation, which helped them stay afloat until the next year’s Festival. He mentored many artists and encouraged them over the years. Pirates Alley installed the large mural titled “Flight of Spirit” depicting five Native American ballerinas in the rotunda at the State Capitol. In 2004 Pirates Alley received the Governor’s Art Award. 

In 1949, RJ converted to Catholicism. He did many charitable things for the Church. He volunteered and taught Bible study classes with a depth of knowledge and width, which his students really enjoyed and appreciated. He humbly made numerous donations, many of which were anonymous. This included picture frames and Rosary beads. He wrote and distributed a pamphlet titled “You Don’t Have to be a Catholic to Pray the Rosary.” 

When RJ was young, he liked to attend various social events and meet new people. However, during his final years, when he became less mobile, he didn’t get out as much and he missed being around other people. He filled his days playing dominoes and telling jokes with his buddy and son, Tony. When he did get out, it was a cherished opportunity. And, he came up with a way to convey that to the people that he met. He would talk with people, get them to laugh and then at the end of their conversation people would say the usual “Have a nice day.” RJ would pause and with a sly smile, a raised eyebrow and a twinkle in his eye reply: “I just did.” People always lit up when they heard that. And, that gave him the biggest thrill and a genuine feeling of contentment.

RJ is survived, remembered and loved by: 

His wife, Alvina Henrichs (OKC). His seven children: 

Rose M. Henrichs (Bob Rescinito) (OKC), Theresa A. (Wally) Hurt (OKC), John D. (Linda) Henrichs (San Pedro, CA), Robert L. (Rosie) Henrichs (San Antonio, TX), James A. “Tony” Henrichs (OKC), Paul A. Henrichs (Jacksonville, FL), Sara J. (Christopher) Martin (Moore).

His grandchildren: Frances Herrod, Amy Warne (Jesse), Joshua Henrichs, Sophie (Steve) Metzger, Jaden (Chace) Coffey, Johnathan (Melanie) Martin, Jacob Martin, Jillian Martin.

His great grandchildren: Kylee Warne, Abbe Rice, Pantheon “Dylan” Warne, Lucy Metzger, Stella Metzger, Wesley Coffey, Levi Coffey.

His sister, Jeanne Land.

He was preceded by his brother, Tell, and his sister, Ruth. 

We will be honoring and celebrating his life at:

Wake: 6 p.m. Thursday, February 20th at Smith & Kernke, N. May Chapel

Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2025, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8005 Dorset Dr., Nichols Hills, OK 73120.

Donations: In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Christ the King Catholic Church or Oklahoma City Association of the Deaf (OKCAD) by visiting the website and clicking the green “Donate” button at the top right corner. 

Thank you to everyone that helped with this process.

RJ found this poem; he rewrote the last part and would make a point of repeating it to people who needed to hear it: 

"Your mind is a garden. 

Your thoughts are seeds. 

If your life isn’t positive, 

you are watering the weeds.”

And . . . then he’d smile.

Love you, bless you and goodbye.

Long live RJ.