Island Icon Kirk Henry By Cate Gregory, Coronado Historical Association Intern Photos Courtesy of Kirk Henry “Happy memories occur here all the
Rental, and a small airlines in Alaska. It
time,” is what Kirk Henry first thinks
was, as Kirk stated, “an investment banker’s
when he recalls life in Coronado. While
dream.” During his career, Kirk worked in
he didn’t grow up here, he has grown to
a variety of different legislatures including
love Coronado and has made a meaning-
Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South
ful impact on this community through his
Dakota, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and
work with the Coronado Roundtable.
Alaska before moving to corporate head-
Kirk Henry was born in 1941 in Merid-
quarters in the Chicago area. He eventu-
ian, Mississippi. His father worked for the
ally became the head of his government
Boy Scouts of America when Henry was
relations department and retired in 1995 at
born, but paused his work to serve in the
the age of fifty-five. He states that the most
United States Navy for four years during
memorable aspect of his career was, “Over
World War II. After the war, Henry’s fam-
an extended period of time improving
ily moved to Memphis, Tennessee where
the laws and regulations concerning the
his father continued his work for the
consumer lending industry.”
Boy Scouts and Henry became an Eagle
Kirk has been happily married to his
Scout himself. He went on to graduate
wife, Barbara, for fifty-five years. They have
from Washington and Lee University in
two sons, as well as two grandchildren,
Virginia with an ROTC Army commis-
with whom he enjoys spending time in
sion. Kirk reminisced on how he enjoyed
Coronado. After looking for a house for
the competitive energy the school brought
over two years, Kirk and his wife pur-
forth both academically and socially.
chased a condo in Coronado in 1999 the
After serving in the Army in the Panama
first day they saw it. That night Kirk and
Canal zone during non-combat circum-
his wife went out to eat at Mexican Village
stances, he became a corporate lobby-
to celebrate.
ist. He spent thirty years working for a
After moving to Coronado, Kirk quickly
Fortune 50 company that owned four
joined the Coronado Roundtable because
thousand retail stores and consumer lend-
it was a good way to meet new people and
ing offices, a major credit card company,
challenge himself. The Coronado Round-
an insurance company, a Fortune 500
table is an organization for retired or semi-
manufacturing company, National Car
retired people. They meet once a month on
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