Henry Hugh Hairston - Obituary

enry (Hank) Hugh Hairston transitioned from this life on 24 August 2025, at Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center (Ft. Belvoir Hospital), Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Hank was born to Swinton and Elsie Hairston in Crawford, Mississippi on 30 June 1936. He was the fifth child of eight. The family moved to East St. Louis, IL, specifically Fireworks Station in 1942. Hank professed a strong belief in Jesus Christ at an early age. He attended St. John’s Baptist Church in East St. Louis with his parents and siblings. During high school, he developed a deep love for music, and an abiding interest in the saxophone and clarinet. After high school, Hank joined the U.S. Air Force. He began his career in administration and as a musician with the 585th Air Force Band at Carswell Air Force Base, Ft. Worth, Texas. In addition to the Air Force Band, when he and his wife were assigned to a new duty station in St. Louis, MO. he played with a number of local bands. Most notably, Hank played in bands that were warm-ups for nationally known stars such as Jackie Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and others. While in the Air Force, Hank’s intelligence, inquisitive spirit, and natural ability for learning foreign languages led him to become a highly effective Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) agent. As an OSI agent, Hank learned Turkish fluently and he, his wife Carol, and three children lived in Turkey in the 1970’s at two different Air Force installations for almost four years. After serving 20 successful years, Hank retired in 1974. Hank met the love of his life, Carol, in Fort Worth, Texas. Their life was a true love story. Dad was always his happiest with Carol; they traveled together, partied together, and enjoyed 56 beautiful years together, until such time the Lord called Carol home March 2, 2012. Hank and Carol had three children, Nicole, Keith, and Mark. Hank was an outstanding provider and husband. He was extremely dedicated to his children. He loved and cherished his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. After his Air Force retirement, Hank became a dedicated federal law enforcement special agent and supervisory agent. Also, he was a 33rd degree Mason and Shriner. Hank dedicated 20 years to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), retiring November, 1994 as USDA Regional Inspector General, Northeast Region, Hyattsville, MD office. Hank was a life-long Mason and Shriner, who had a deep love for his fraternal brothers. He held a special love for his brothers at Roscoe C. Cartwright Lodge 129. He served most notably in the roles of Past Master, Past Potentate, and Lodge Treasurer. He was dedicated to supporting fraternal efforts and activities, including fund raisers and service to others. Hank was preceded in death by his father and mother, wife, and six siblings. He leaves to cherish in his memory his daughter, Dr. Nicole (Bradley), Fredericksburg, VA; his son Keith, Colorado Springs, CO; his son Mark (Angie), Ft. Washington, MD; his brother Attral (Helen), Florissant, MO. Grandchildren: Amber Taylor, Gabrielle Shepard, Brandie Jones, Mark Henry Hairston, Jr., and Angel Heaven Hairston; a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and close friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Henry's Life Celebration on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 10:30 A.M. until the start of the Masonic Service at 11:30 A.M. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. The Funeral Service will begin at 12:30 P.M. Interment will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 1:45 P.M. at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Robert S Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623.