Henry Massey Jr.

Henry Massey, Jr., age 78, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Born on November 16, 1948, to Henry Massey, Sr. and Carolyn Johnson Massey, he was a lifelong resident of Rock Hill. He attended Central School and graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1967, where he formed lasting friendships with his “Black Street” friends and fellow Flames, including Stuart Parrish, Jimmy Pope, Dickie Smith, Tommy Ward, and Wayne Wingate.

Henry cherished summers at his family’s river house on Lake Wylie, where he loved water skiing. He attended Montreal College, often recounting stories of playing basketball and being recruited to play soccer in his Chuck Taylor high-tops. He worked as an accountant at The Bleachery and National Gypsum. In retirement, he found joy in woodworking and painting.

He married Gayle Kiker on December 18, 1967. Together they raised twins, Lauren and Henry Rion. Henry was a devoted father who spent countless hours playing basketball in the driveway with his children and their friends. An avid sports fan, he passionately supported the Duke Blue Devils, followed the Atlanta Braves, and enjoyed horse racing—most memorably meeting American Pharaoh after the horse’s 2015 Triple Crown victory. He also loved cycling, turning family bike rides into adventures, and was a compassionate caregiver to the family’s dogs and cats.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Phoebe Massey Evans and Carolyn (Lynn) Edens. He is survived by his wife, Gayle Kiker Massey; daughter Lauren Massey West (James Alan West); son Henry Rion Massey (Beth Gregory Freeman); grandchildren Henry Peyton Massey, Daven Poag West, and Rion Cole Massey; sister Ida Massey Shelton; nephews Gregory Ferrell and Rob Evans; and nieces Alison Evans Ingles and Amy Evans.