Services for Henry Lara, Jr.,71 of Cleburne, will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 11, 2023, in the Crosier-Pearson Chapel with a visitation prior to the service from 1-2:00 P.M. Burial will follow in Itasca Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Angel Barragan, Blake Elston, Bradley Singletary, Matthew Garcia, Michael Garcia, and Travis Yager. Honorary pallbearers are Christopher Reyes, Archer Soto, Jaxon Scott, Jesse Looney, and Reign Reney.

Henry passed away on October 5, 2023, in Cleburne, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy. He was born on March 27, 1952, in Cleburne, Texas to Henry and Adela (Cavazos) Lara. He was the second oldest child out of 10 growing up on a farm in Itasca. He graduated from Itasca High School in the class of 1970. After graduating from high school, Henry joined the Army, where he was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam war. He returned to the US after discharge and started a long career in construction and iron working. He worked for Basden Steel Corporation in Burleson, Texas for 25 years. Henry enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was happiest being outdoors fishing, camping and tinkering with his trucks. He even built a custom BBQ smoker, that ended up being so large he had to place it on tracks to wheel it out to use. Henry especially loved his grandchildren, often sneaking them money when he saw them just because. Henry’s love of the Dallas Cowboys never moved him from his recliner on Sundays, every time they won, he would text or call his son-in-law Adam “how about them cowboys!” He was always on the go and constantly seemed to stay busy. His humor, loyalty, intelligence and love will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Adela Lara and sister, Linda Lara.

Survivors include is his wife of almost 27 years, Rita Lara whom he married in July 2005; Daughters, Crystal Lara Andrus and husband, Adam, Tina Lara Fink and husband Vincent, Dana Garcia and husband Mikey, Jennifer “Granny” Reed, Misty Kulow and husband Henry, Heather Tyler and husband Alvin; Grandchildren, Abby Tijerina, Alexandra Reney, Angel Barragan, Blake Elston, Bradley Singletary, Christopher Reyes, Jesse Looney, Matthew Garcia, Michael Garcia (wife Kaitlyn), Noelle Tyler, Steven Handy, Rebecca Singletary, Travis Yager; Great-Grandchildren, Archer, Jaxon, Autumn and Reign; Siblings, Adela Lara Puente, Chris Olvera and husband David, Angie Lara and husband, Mark Alcala, Sammy Lara and wife, Isabel, Paul Lara and wife, Vickie, Larry Lara, Bonnie Lara, and Nellie Lara Phifer. He is also cherished and loved by numerous nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
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