Eulys Henson, my uncle and long-time Rush Creek farmer left us on February 25, 2019, at the age of 91. He and his profession is part of the reason that America is the greatest country in the world, and here is why I believe this is true: Eulys worked hard from daylight to dusk every day of the last 74 years of life. He had talents for doing lots of other things which would pay more, but chose to be only a farmer. For example, as a high school baseball player (pitcher), he reportedly had a "Don Drysdale" fastball which exceeded 90 mph. It is really unknown, since speed guns didn't exist back in the day - but he once fired a baseball at his hay barn (about 300 feet in the distance) which didn't get 30 feet off the ground, and put a dent in it one inch deep. Eulys was invited to spring training in Florida with a major league team (1949), for a tryout, but chose to remain on Rush Creek.. farming. He never became wealthy, and remained "poor" by many standards, but was rich beyond belief according to him.
My uncle, Eulys Henson, was like a second father to me growing up on Rush Creek. He was one of my few real heroes, and I'll miss him as long as I remain. My brother Johnny, who provided the eulogy for our uncle, may have said it best. He visited with Eulys several days before he passed, for the last time. When Johnny got home after the visit, he scratched on his wooden desk - "Best day I've ever had". Rest in peace, Eulys, we'll see you soon.
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