Calvin F. “Jack” Hensley, 83, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Thursday, May 11, 2017.
He was born July 21, 1933, in Ironton, to the late Ted and Mary (Miller) Hensley.
Jack was raised as a boy in the deep hills of Waterloo by his maternal grandparents, Frank and Fanny Miller. Those hard times, during the depression, made him strong-willed and strong-minded.
He dropped out of school at the age of 15 and left the hills to live in Grove City with his mother and step-father. Later in life, he married his first wife, Evelyn, raised four children and formed a trucking company in Circleville.
Borrowing money from the local doctor for his first truck, a Peterbilt, his business grew with hard work and determination into an operation of 15 semi-trucks and trailers that transported hazardous materials.
Jack always had a dream of flying his own airplane, and in 1975, after just four hours of lessons, he soloed and earned his pilot’s license.
In 1981, he obtained his IFR instrument certification and settled in Venice, Florida, where he began another successful business, Island Aircraft Sales. Jack was also the former owner of Oakley Landscaping and Jack’s PSI of Calusa Lakes.
As little education as he had, Jack had a sharp business mind and was a natural mechanic. He was a hardworking, warm, honest and sincere man that was easily conveyed by his handshake.
He is survived by his loving wife Carol (Mullins) Hensley of Sarasota, Florida; children, Katherine J. Jones of Worthington, Jack D. Hensley (Kathleen) of Circleville and Gale S. Fouch of Worthington; sister, Dixie Foley (Charles) of Columbus; half-sister, Jane Gomez of Seminole, Florida; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; as well as step-sons, Michael (Lourdes) Mullins, Pat (Jill) Mullins, Bill (Sue) Mullins and Charles (Zelanne) Mullins.
He is preceded in death by son, Ronnie J. Hensley; as well as grandsons, Jack D. Hensley Jr., and Ryan Joseph Hensley.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Jack Hensley are suggested to Dante’s Den in Myakka City, Florida.
A special Thank You to James Valenti, D.O., and the staff at Tidewell Hospice.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Palms-Robarts Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave., Sarasota, FL 34232.
Palms-Robarts Funeral Home and Memorial Park is entrusted with final care. Visit www.dignitymemorial.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
