Henry C. Kress, Jr

Henry Clay Kress, Jr.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...”

Henry Clay Kress, Jr. born January 8, 1945, in Birmingham, Alabama, fought the good fight and finished the race on Friday, September 4, 2026. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Elmwood Cemetery.

Henry was the oldest of three children born to the late Henry C. Kress, Sr. and Mary McClendon Kress. He grew up in the Smithfield community, attended Pilgrim Lutheran School and graduated from A. H. Parker High School. He attended Morehouse College and received his undergraduate degree from Miles College where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. After serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, Henry began his professional career at UAB, and subsequently at the Veterans Administration (Los Angeles, CA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Little Rock, AR and Nashville, TN).

During his youth, Henry enjoyed nothing better than spending the day fishing; and as an adult, watching college football games was a favorite pastime.

He is survived by two sisters, Mary (Robert) Harris, Alice (Benjamin) Clarey; nephew Robert Harris; nieces Zanaida Wade, Zanis Hill and Zynda Harris. Special thanks to Jamal Rayford for his compassion and untiring care of Henry.