Oakdale-Celebration of Life services honoring Charles Wayne Henry, 76, will be held at 10 o'clock a.m. on Thursday morning, August 13, 2026, at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale. Charles will be laid to rest with full military honors at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Glenmora, LA, immediately following his services.

    Charles's family will receive friends and visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale on Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026, from 5-8 o'clock p.m. Charles's visitation will resume at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home on Thursday morning, August 13, 2026, from 9 o'clock a.m. until time of service. All of Charles' arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale.

    Charles Wayne Henry, affectionately known to his many friends as “Pyro,” entered into eternal rest on August 8, 2026. Born on November 30, 1949, in Oakdale, Louisiana, Charles lived a vibrant life marked by service, passion, and deep devotion to his family and community. Charles graduated from high school in Oakland, California, and continued his education at Merritt Junior College. A proud veteran, he served honorably in the United States Navy aboard the USS Vance from September 1968 until his discharge in April 1970, bravely serving during the Vietnam War. His service awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Following his military service, Charles dedicated ten years to Civil Service in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, before channeling his skills and entrepreneurial spirit into his own business, Pyro’s Welding and Fabrication, Inc. Music was one of Charles's greatest passions. An accomplished harmonica player, he shared his talent with numerous bands and had the distinct honor of playing alongside legendary blues musician John Lee Hooker for several years. Charles was also an avid Harley-Davidson rider and a dedicated member of the biker community. He was a proud member of AmVets Post 7, the Vietnam Vets MC for ten years, the Amvets Riders for three years, and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1131. He was a Full Member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA 6-6), with whom he shared his final ride. Charles will be forever missed and unconditionally loved by all who knew him.

    His memory will be forever cherished by his loving family, including his mother, Barbara Louise Fontenot; his two sisters, Jeannette Gilley and Diana Koponick, along with his brother-in-law Douglas Koponick; his son, Anthony Pearson; his granddaughters, Elly Paige Henry, Sabrina Hays, and Serina Beniot, and a host of extended family and dear friends.

    Charles is preceded in death by his father, Herbert Joseph Fontenot; his son, Charles Owen Henry; and his sister, Carolyn Denise Justis.

    Honored to serve as Charles's pallbearers will be his brothers from CVMA LA 6-6.

    On behalf of Pyro’s family, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming kindness, prayers, comforting thoughts, and deeds extended to us this time, and for your presence in celebrating his life.

    Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with Charles's family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.