Hugo Harrison Henry was born December 1, 1947 in Jackson, Tennessee, to Fanny Ethel Frazier and Rev. Haywood Henry. He died at the age of 60 on march 17, 2008. He graduated from Merry High School in Jackson and in 1969, graduated with a BS Degree from Lane College in Jackson. Hugo continued his education with graduate studies at the UW Plattville, and UW Whitewater. Relocating to Beloit in 1969, he began his career as an educator, civic leader and musician. He married Mary Hall in 1980 at Emanuel Baptist Church. He was survived by her and their seven children, Kevin, Duane, Kimberly, Marc, Marcena, Eric and Tiffany, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and his mother.

Hugo served the School District of Beloit for 34 years before his retirement, at McNeel and Beloit Memorial High School, recognized as “Teacher of the Year” at each institution. An eloquent speaker, he became the Voice of the Purple Knights, announcing men’s basketball games from 1985 to 1998. His excellent sense of history, drama and music, coupled with his no-nonsense approach as an educator, installed in his students the will to do their best and never settling for less, touching the lives of hundreds of his students.

A consummate public servant, Hugo was elected to the Beloit City Council in 1994, serving to 2000, serving that body as its President 1998-1999. On the State level, he served on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction State High School Task Force, Wisconsin Affirmative Action Council and Board Member of the Wisconsin General Education Association of Student Programs. Recognition of his community service includes Beloit Volunteer of the year, Greater Beloit Minority Coalition Award, NAACP Award, Founder Award, Minority Parent Organization, and Hometown Hero Award. As a member of Stateline Golden K Kiwanis Club, he served as its President and received that organization’s Meritorious Award and named Kiwanian of the year.

Arriving in Beloit in 1969, Hugo associated himself with Emmanuel Baptist Church, and dedicated himself to a musical ministry, and eventually served as soloist, the Director of the Emanuel Baptist Voices of Praise, Male Chorus, and Senior Choir. His outstanding vocal ability, skill and presentation of gospel music, was known, respected and shared by him throughout the Community. The memory of Hugo Henry directing one of the musical groups and putting his heart and soul into the wonderful music it was producing, will live in the memory of generations of his fellow parishioners and the Beloit community.