Key Facts
- Full Name:Â Thomas Christopher Henry
- Date of Birth:Â November 8, 1951
- Place of Birth:Â Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
- Date of Death:Â March 28, 2024
- Political Party:Â Democratic
- Spouse:Â Cindy Kocks (married since 1975)
- Children:Â 2
- Education:Â University of Saint Francis (BA, MBA)
- Previous Positions:Â Served five terms on the Fort Wayne City Council from 1984 to 2004, representing the 3rd District
- Mayorship:Â Served as the 35th Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 2008 until his death
- Mayoral Campaigns:Â Announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for mayor on February 21, 2007, and won the Democratic mayoral primary on May 8, 2007, with 82.4 percent of the vote. He was reelected multiple times, becoming the first Democrat in Fort Wayne’s history to win three consecutive mayoral terms and eventually serving five terms in total.
- Significant Actions as Mayor:Â Signed the revised noise ordinance passed by city council, making light pollution a violation of city ordinance. He was the second longest-serving mayor of Fort Wayne, second to Harry Baals.
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry Family And Net Worth: Who Are They?
Tom Henry, the 35th Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, led a fulfilling personal life and accumulated significant wealth, largely shaped by his dedicated career in public service and ventures in the private sector.
Born as the second child among 17 siblings to Jerome and Marganelle “Marge” Henry, Tom Henry’s upbringing was characterized by a bustling family environment. He graduated from Fort Wayne Central Catholic High School in 1970 before serving in the United States Army Military Police Corps from 1971 to 1973. He furthered his education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an MBA from the University of Saint Francis.
In 1975, Tom Henry tied the knot with Cindy Kocks, with whom he shared two children. Tragically, Cindy succumbed to pancreatic cancer on January 20, 2024, just two months before Tom’s passing. Their family found solace in the belief that they were reunited in the afterlife, as Tom succumbed to late-stage stomach cancer on March 28, 2024.
While precise details regarding Tom Henry’s net worth remain undisclosed, his career trajectory and accomplishments hint at considerable personal wealth. Before delving into politics, Henry served as the president and CEO of the Gallant Group, an insurance agency specializing in healthcare consulting. His subsequent political career, encompassing roles on the Fort Wayne City Council and as mayor, likely contributed to his financial prosperity, albeit exact figures remain undisclosed.
His tenure in public service, coupled with his experience in the insurance and healthcare consulting sectors, undoubtedly played pivotal roles in accruing his wealth, offering him substantial income and benefits over the years.
Tom Henry Career Explored
Tom Henry career traversed both the private sector and public service, illustrating a remarkable journey from entrepreneurship to leadership in local government.
Henry earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in psychology and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Saint Francis. Additionally, he served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973.
Prior to his political involvement, Henry ventured into the private sector, assuming the role of CEO at the Gallant Group, an insurance and healthcare consulting firm, as well as at Midwest Health Net, a hospital group purchasing firm.
Henry’s political career began with his service on the Fort Wayne City Council, representing District 3 from 1983 to 2003, covering northwest Fort Wayne.
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share that Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry passed away peacefully this evening, Thursday, March 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. pic.twitter.com/4SajSi6dzg
— Fort Wayne, Indiana (@CityofFortWayne) March 29, 2024
In 2008, Henry was elected as the Mayor of Fort Wayne, a position he held until his demise in 2024. His tenure was characterized by a steadfast commitment to engagement, innovation, and performance, with the aim of optimizing government services for residents and businesses.
Throughout his mayoral tenure, Henry spearheaded significant enhancements in neighborhood infrastructure, downtown development, job creation, business expansions, public safety, and the expansion of the city’s park system. Notably, he played a pivotal role in retaining over 18,300 jobs, generating 5,050 new job opportunities, and attracting more than $2.1 billion in private investments. The city’s greenways and trails system also flourished, expanding to nearly 100 miles, while witnessing record levels of neighborhood infrastructure improvement projects.
Community Engagement: Henry was renowned for his accessible leadership approach, actively engaging with residents through initiatives such as Mayor’s Night In sessions, neighborhood and business walks, and utilizing social media platforms like Facebook Live, Twitter, and Instagram. Additionally, he maintained regular dialogues with business and community leaders to solicit feedback and recommendations.
Fiscal Responsibility: Under Henry’s stewardship, Fort Wayne experienced substantial fiscal responsibility, with projected cash reserves ranging from $6 to $7 million by the year’s end, escalating to $8 to $10 million by 2018. This financial prudence played a pivotal role in the city’s success, leading to its recognition as the 5th best run city in the nation by WalletHub.