Dr. James Moreland Henry died on May 22, 2026, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. He was 85 years old and hailed from Houston, TX. After Rice University, Princeton, and a Yale post-doc, he spent most of his life teaching chemical engineering and control systems at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He was a pioneer in online laboratories, setting up the world’s first lab available across the globe for students to run actual experiments at UTC, thus benefitting students in smaller engineering programs that hadn’t previously had access to laboratory experience. He was also instrumental in designing software to allow researchers on the ground to conduct experiments and collect data from the International Space Station. He lived in Amman, Jordan, as a Fulbright fellow teaching at the University of Jordan from 1987-8. He enjoyed a sabbatical fall semester in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1998. He travelled to Russia, Armenia, Berlin and Vienna professionally.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Moggie Carden Henry, and their two sons Davis Helms of Richmond VA, and Douglas Helms of Boone NC, their wives Catherine Clements and Shelley Helms, and three grandchildren, Duncan Henry Helms, Sydney Carden Helms and Ellie Catherine Helms. His sister Virginia Henry Westlake (Maynard) of Graham, TX, Sharon Westlake Barker and family of Fort Worth, TX and Wally Westlake and family in Colorado Springs, CO, also survive him. His parents were Sylvia Etta Moreland and James Skelton Henry.

Jim was a wonderful step-father to his two sons and brought delight and adventure to the family for years. Splashing in the Gulf of Mexico and engineering unique sandcastles with sons and families provided deep connections and glorious memories. Moggie and Jim had many jaunts to national parks (pre-grandchildren) with Virginia and Maynard. Jim was literally interested in everything and as a result there was never a dull moment to experience. 

For 25 years, he was very active in Families Anonymous and in the 12-step community. Ever the seeker, he was part of the Tamarisk community for years, nearly completed a degree in Psychology, studied Thomas Hubl courses on Mystical Principles, journaled with his men’s group, did a deep dive into the Enneagram, attended many weekend workshops with what was formerly called Life Training, and was a member of First Christian Church for 35 years. 

He was long-time member of a men’s group which has been the backbone of support during Jim’s last difficult month and a half. A big thank you to his frequent companions and protectors, Clay Davis, Alan Voss, Peter Ewing and Bruce Blohm. Another thank you goes to Antonio Snipes who kept watch over Jim in the evenings during his rehab stay, keeping him safe from another fall.

A service in Jim’s memory will be on August 1, 2026, at First Christian Church on McCallie Avenue, with visitation in the sanctuary at 1 pm and the service at 2 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

-Chattanooga Area Food Bank, 2009 Curtain Pole Road, Chattanooga 37406 

-ChattFoundation, 727 E 11th Street, Chattanooga 37403

 -familiesanonymous.org

-ABIDE Respite Ministry at First Centenary Methodist Church, P.O. Box 208, Chattanooga 37401

-First Christian Church, 650 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga 37403

 Or wherever your heart leads you.

Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Center of Chattanooga. 1345 Hickory Valley Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421. 423.362.5999