Henry Leon Salvant

Henry Salvant, age 85, of the Odenton/Ft. Meade community, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022 after several years of declining health associated with severe depression. He was born in Pass Christian, Mississippi to Julius Salvant and Felicie Kohler Salvant on September 15, 1937.

Henry was a saved believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and trusted Him for eternal life.

Henry was a devoted husband and father.  He survived his wife, Marcella Salvant, who transitioned on Friday, September 19, 2014. Henry and Marcella were married for 52 years upon her death at the age of 75.  They had three children.  Henry was the original "Girl Dad" to his two daughters and the ultimate role model to his son.

Henry attended the Mississippi public school system, before attending Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he majored in Math and Chemistry, prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on November 6th, 1958.  Henry completed his Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration in1988 at University of Maryland. 

Henry honorably served in the U.S. Air Force from November 6th, 1958 to February 28th, 1981; a career spanning more than 22 years.  While in the Air Force, Henry specialized primarily in Signals Operation and Analysis and achieved the rank of Master Sargent (E7) prior to his retirement.  During the course of his 22-year service, Henry had the pleasure to travel to and reside in many countries with his wife and three children, including Germany, Japan, Greece, the Philippines, and Japan again, prior to returning to the United States.

Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, Henry embarked on a career as a Manager for the National Security Agency where he worked for 20 years until he retired in 2001.  Henry worked part-time during his retirement for Eagle Alliance and eventually started a catering business with his wife, H&M Ribs and Things.

Henry had many varied interest.  He loved history and playing math-based games like Sudoku and card games like Pinochle, Bid Whist, Spades and Poker.  He was a longtime baseball and softball player and a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.  He also enjoyed cooking barbecue and often prepared and served barbecue and other food items to the troops at Fort Meade free of charge.  But most of all, Henry enjoyed mischief of any kind.  Anything that would generate his big laugh and a sparkle in his green eyes.

Henry was active in the community and charitable endeavors.  In addition to charitable efforts providing food to the troops, Henry was very active with noted Baltimore philanthropist and advocate for the poor and homeless, Bea Gaddy.  Henry was also involved in many private acts of charity with families and friends throughout the Baltimore-Washington region and beyond.  In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Henry drove his RV filled with packs of drinking water to the Gulf Coast in Mississippi to provide relief to the residents desperate for relief. 

Henry was a former long-time member of Ft. Meade Gospel Services, where he served on the Usher Board and PMOC (Protestant Men of the Chapel).  Henry was a Mason and longtime member of William T. Wallace Lodge No. 134 of Fort Meade.

Henry is preceded in death by his loving wife, Marcella Salvant; parents, Julius Salvant and Felicie Salvant Dorsey; stepfather, Arther Dorsey, who was very instrumental in raising him;  brothers, Edgar, Robert, Gaines and Joseph Salvant; niece Linda Corbett; and nephew Gaines Hardee Salvant III.

Henry is survived by his three loving children, Felice Salvant of Hanover, MD and Elise Salvant and Maurice Salvant of Columbia MD; cherished grandson Anthony Francis; former daughter-in-law, Angela Francis-Salvant; nieces and nephews Cheri (self-proclaimed "favorite" niece), Ralph, Kathleen, Paulette, Patricia, Michael and Joe.  He also leaves behind many cherished cousins, great nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Memorial Donations may be made to:

Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 8701 Georgia Avenue, Suite #412, Silver Spring, MD 20910 • www.adaa.com.   Founded in 1979, ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through aligning research, practice and education.

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