Mr. Henry Brax Thomas, II

Henry was born on February 7, 1959 to the late Henry Brax Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Thomas. Henry was extremely close to both parents and his late brother and sister Bernard and Geraldine . Henry was a talented left handed child. At the young age of 13 he began to work. He had a special relationship with his late Uncle Fred, who taught him to paint professionally. Henry attended McMichael Elementary School and Northwestern High School where he learned and built on his mechanical abilities.He purchased his first car years before his was eligible to drive. His love for cars and the ability to repair them grew tremendously. Henry believed, if you don't know something, get a book and read. The best Christmas gift to give him was a Chilton Repair Manual to add to his collection. At an early age Henry became a proud dad to Tikeisha and Henry. At a young age Henry was employed at A&P Supermarket, Detroit Board of Education as a custodian. Henry received a GED, but that wasn't good enough for him. At the age of 19, he went back to Northwestern High School and graduated in 1979, and furthered his education at Motech Automotive School and received his Master Automotive license in 1980. He began his Master Automotive Mechanic career at Checker Cab, Chrysler dealership, AM General Automotive (build and repair military vehicles) GM Motors and 27 years at Ford Motor Company Livonia Transmission Plant. Henry also was a small business owner repairing automobiles and motorcycles with his late son Henry. He took pride in Auto Excellence and Cycle - providing excellent service at a reasonable rate. On July 19, 1985, Henry married the love of his life, Aldrina. They met at Northwestern High School through friends. To that union they were blessed with two beautiful children Lawrence and Kristina. If you ever happened to meet Henry, you walked away as a new friend. Henry was a people person. His intelligence and intellect exuded throughout every discussion. He spent his life building friendships and lifelong relationships. "A buddy of mine", were how his daily conversations began. Those conversations turned into speaking to you about a situation or giving a referral. He was very supportive of small business owners because he walked those shoes in his daily life. Henry was affectionally known by his family and childhood friends as Pookie. Later many other names came - HB, Hank, Hawk, Harley Hank. He took pride in his heated/air condition garage - GEERAGE-, where he would fire up the grill and cook and assist friends with small repairs and watch TV, laugh and talk. Henry assisted so many homeless people by providing them with odd jobs, or just financial assistance. On his final day on earth, he provided an ultimate gift to the Gift of Life Foundation which will benefit patients in a number of serious or life-threatening medical situations. Henry lives on !!!! As a child Henry attended St. Stevens Baptist Church. Later in life, Henry confessed Christ and was baptized at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Terry White, Sr. Henry loved his pastor and church family. He would bring the grandchildren and always invited others. Henry's favorite mottos: Temporarily Closed for Spiritual Maintenance Forward Ever Backwards Never He always appreciated a well-dressed person. Henry prided himself on his stellar collection of shoes and hats and jewelry. Among his list of passions, were his automotive vehicles and trucks: Ford, Chrysler, GM, and Bentley-just to name a few. His pride and joy being a 1964 Galaxy 500, which was featured in the Detroit Free Press at the Woodward Dream Cruise, a few years ago. In addition to his love for cars; Henry loved motorcycles, minibikes, boats, and motor homes. He loved spending his days working on and riding his motorcycles. To him, no warm and sunny day was complete without a cruise. Henry's favorite hobby was roller-skating. As a youngster he skated at St. Stephens Baptist Church, and a skate rink on Grand River and Beverly. As an adult, Northland Roller Rink, Detroit Roller Wheels, Royal Skateland and Rolladium Skating Center in Waterford, Michigan. He made it mandatory to teach his children how to skate after they took their first step, and they did with enjoyment. Henry was preceded in death by his father and mother Henry B. Thomas, Sr. and Mary E. Thomas and son Henry B. Thomas, III, brother, Bernard Richmond, and sister Geraldine Demand. Henry leaves to cherish his devoted and loving wife of 39 years, Aldrina, his children, Tikeisha Thomas, Lawrence Thomas, Kristina Thomas, and Dejai Thomas. One sister, Jackie Jackson of New Jersey. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Ellen Futch, and two sisters-in-law, Lucretia Holliday, Claireta Thomas, and one brother-in-law and friend, Michael Holliday, Three grandchildren: Nygel Dennis, Nyla Dennis, and Kaiden Thomas, and Willie Barton his childhood friend and brother, and Carrie Royster, who is a dear family friend and the mother of their beautiful children Tikeisha and Henry, and a host of family, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews. Together Henry and Aldrina shared a beautiful array of friends and families.

Mr. Henry Brax Thomas, II

February 7, 1959 - June 19, 2024