Henry A. Fletcher

Bishop Henry Arnold Fletcher, a minister, businessman and former Texas State Representative passed from this life on Friday, July 22, 2011. Henry was born on July 29, 1933 in Parkdale, Arkansas. He was the oldest son of Arnold V. and Jimmie Lee Fletcher and lived in Louisiana the early years of his life. In 1945, Henry moved with his family to the Fresno area of California where he attended Central Union High School. At 16 years of age, he headed to San Antonio, Texas to pursue his dreams. He graduated from the International Bible College's (IBC) High School and then attended college at IBC. There he met and married on June 2, 1952 Ethelene Twilley, his precious wife of 59 years. 

Rev. Fletcher was a born leader with a relentless faith in God and a fearless approach to life. He served as an ordained licensed minister and was instrumental in the formation of the Ministerial Association of Jesus Christ (MAJC), and Apostolic Christian Network (ACN). From 1952 to 1967, Rev. Fletcher assisted his father-in-law, Joseph Twilley, at numerous churches in central Texas. In 1954 he established Calvary Gospel Church (now Abundant Life Church) in Seguin where he later returned to pastor in 1978 for the next 33 years. Henry was elected to the Texas State House of Representative in 1961 and served three terms. Henry was also a business entrepreneur, owning furniture stores in San Marcos, Lockhart and Luling. In the later years of his life, he served as Chairman and President of the Republican Party for Guadalupe County. In 2009, Rev. Fletcher was ordained as a Bishop with the Apostolic Christian Network. 

Henry will be remembered for his great love for God, his family and service to others. 

He is survived by his wife, Ethelene Fletcher; son and daughter-in-law, Henry (Rusty) and Lyudmila Fletcher, Jr.; son, Ron Fletcher; daughter and son-in-law, Glenda and Mark Behrens; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Gordon McKean; seven grandchildren, Ana, Kellie and Joseph Fletcher; Kyle and wife, Jessica, and Kelsey Behrens; Brett and Melissa McKean; and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by siblings, Norman Fletcher, Claude Fletcher, Arnold V. (Hap) Fletcher Jr., Margie Bennett, and Shirley Redding. 

Henry was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David Fletcher. 

We are forever grateful for Don Dykstra. His countless hours spent with Henry for the last 17 months were a gift from above. Also, special thanks to Dr. Stephen Sokolyk, Dr. Phillip Rinn, Dr. Henry Moore and the many other doctors at GRMC in Seguin for making a difference in Henry's life; and to The Windsor Nursing Home staff. 

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, July 31, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Living Waters Worship Center, 3325 N State Highway 46, Seguin Texas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, August 1, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at Christian Life Church, 4700 Westgate Blvd., Austin, Texas. Burial will be at the Texas State Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the building fund for A Fountain of Life Church, Pastor Rusty Fletcher, P.O. Box 2113, Kyle, Texas 78640 http://www.afountain.org

In loving memory of Henry's brother, David Fletcher, his brother-in-law, Lester Bennett, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Carrie Twilley. 

Pallbearers: Sgt. Kyle Behrens, Rev. Branham French, Able Casa, Brett McKean, J.D., Dr. David Fletcher and Rev. Dwayne Stanton. 

Honorary bearers: Rev. Archie Alderson Rev. Victor Keller, Rev. Nolan Behrens, Regan Redding, Margarito Diaz, Brad Steinkamp, Don Dykstra, and Arvin York. 

 Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department.