Gail Edward Henning

Gail Edward Henning, passed into the arms of his Savior on November 18, 2022. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after battling lymphoma.

Ed was born on May 7, 1939, in Colfax, Wash. He grew up on a farm near Colfax and graduated from Colfax High School in 1957. He farmed in the Colfax area for several years. In 1963, he married Karen Scholz and they moved to Cheney, Wash., where he attended Eastern Washington University.

During college, he was influenced by two respected professors and found his calling in education. Ed received a Bachelors Degree in Science and later a Masters Degree in School Administration. He spent the next 30 years teaching in the Mead School District, primarily 6th grade, at Midway Elementary. Known for his classroom specialty of science, he was instrumental in starting "Outdoor Camps" designed for sixth graders to study science in nature.

After he retired from Mead, Ed taught Physics at Whitworth University and Eastern Washington University. He touched the lives of many students and staff. Always an entrepreneur and supportive father, he purchased and developed Automatic Pool Covers of Washington and worked on other development projects with his sons.

He was a great encouragement to his children and grandchildren, whatever their endeavors. They were the light of his life. Ed coached girls' basketball for many years and was an avid fan of Gonzaga basketball. He loved backpacking adventures. The most memorable one was climbing to the top of Glacier Peak in the Cascades. Trips to Hawaii and Europe were highlights in his travels. He was a man of strong faith and loved the Lord.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents George and Gladys Henning and his older brother Vernon Henning, all of Colfax. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen, and six children: daughter and son-in-law Pam and David Miller of Rainier, Wash .; daughter and son-in-law, Trudi Yandt and Brian Curnow of Surprise, Ariz .; son and daughter-in-law Greg and Kara Henning of Spokane, Wash .; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Tammy Henning of Greenacres, Wash .; son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Molly Henning of Colbert, Wash .; and daughter and son-in-law, Krista and Michael Clapp of Niceville, Flo. He was also blessed with twenty-two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A beautiful family service was held at the Colfax Cemetery on Saturday, November 26. A Celebration of Ed's Life is being planned for the spring.