Obituary of Jacob Henry Furler

Jacob Henry Furler, “Henry”, was born February 6, 1998, in Dallas, Texas, to Eric David Furler and Elizabeth “Betsy” Walling Furler and passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020, at home in Houston, Texas.

Henry was preceded in death by his grandmother, Elizabeth Kruse Furler, and his grandfather, Albert C. Walling, II.

He is survived by his parents, Eric and Betsy Furler; brother, Sam Furler; grandfather, Ed Furler; grandmother, Carroll Wicher Walling; aunts, Maurine Walling McCourry, Amy Furler Greebon, and Julie Furler Reilly; uncles, Art Reilly, Scott Greebon and Chris McCourry; cousins, Stella McCourry, Elizabeth Greebon, Caroline Greebon, Art Reilly, Jr., Patrick Reilly, and faithful service dog and companion, Scout; godparents, Ryan and Lupita Holder, George Kaldis and Angela Pittman (his aunt Maurine McCourry was also his godmother), and countless friends and extended family members. Henry considered all his friends to be family and his family members to be friends!

Henry lived a lot in only 22 years. While medically complex from birth, he never let his medical challenges slow him down. He was often hospitalized, but as soon as he was discharged, he immediately went on with life, often going directly from the hospital to school, camp, or another fun activity.

Henry attended and thrived in the Vanguard/Gifted and Talented Programs at River Oaks Elementary School and Lanier Middle School in Houston. He graduated from Xavier Educational Academy at the age of 18 and then went on to Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he was an active member of the community and knew the local EMTs and hospital staff well. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Henry lived on campus and made many, many friends.  After two years, due to medical issues, Henry moved back home and attended the University of St Thomas, Houston Community College, the College at St. Constantine and University of Houston-Clear Lake. He was on track to graduate in May 2021 from UHCL with a degree in Anthropology at the age of 23. Henry loved school and his dream was to get his master’s degree in World War II Studies and Holocaust and Genocide Studies and a PhD in Museum Studies. He had applied to graduate school.

While Henry excelled academically, he was passionate about many other activities. He participated throughout high school in a geology program, GeoFORCE, for which he was chosen through the University of Texas. He was selected as one of a handful of Houston ISD students in fifth grade as an ambassador from the district to Galveston ISD after Hurricane Ike. He also represented the Epilepsy Foundation in Washington, D.C., for their Kids Speak Up event. Henry spoke at SXSW about his use of technology for medical independence and his transition from pediatric medical care to adult medical care. He was on the Children’s Advisory Board of Texas Children’s Hospital and later on an advisory board at Texas Children’s Hospital regarding his transition from pediatric medical care to adult medical care.

Henry had a burning curiosity about the world from a very young age and never stopped researching and learning. He was interested in world religions and was very spiritual. He was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church and then converted to LDS. He also had a deep understanding and appreciation for the Jewish faith. Henry loved Vacation Bible School and participated as long as he could and then joined the staff of vacation Bible schools each summer. He helped at many churches around our area and the state. Henry was an expert on VBS curriculum and met the staff at both Group Publishing and Lifeway. He could discuss, compare, and contrast all the different themes over the years. Henry loved curriculums of all types and dreamed of developing a curriculum to teach empathy based on the Holocaust.

Throughout his life, Henry embraced new experiences.  He enjoyed traveling and was fortunate enough to go on a Make-A-Wish Foundation trip to Colonial Williamsburg. He also accompanied a good friend on her Make-A-Wish trip to see the ball drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square. He volunteered at the Holocaust Museum Houston and most recently was employed at Locktopia Escape Room Houston.  He was a fan of Broadway musicals, all things Disney, and diverse types of music. Henry loved fencing and treasured his time at Houston Sword Sports. He worked through his medical problems to participate in this sport.

Henry’s most incredible accomplishments were probably in Scouting. Henry earned his Eagle Scout at the age of 14. That year, his project, a cell phone charging station at Texas Children’s Hospital, was chosen as one of the best projects out of the 1,000 Eagle Projects in our council. Henry earned 12 Eagle Palms and over 80 merit badges. He was a member of Sam Houston Area Council Troop 211 and then Troop 46. Henry took advantage of every leadership training opportunity he could find. He took NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) and he took NAYLE (National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience) courses at both The Summit and Philmont. He took numerous other training courses at Philmont Training Center and also participated in a Winter Adventure at Philmont. He completed Powder Horn Training and attended the National Jamboree in 2010. He was a Leave No Trace trainer. Henry continued to serve as an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 46.  He was an active member in the Order of the Arrow and served in several leadership roles, including Chapter Chief of the Twin Bayou Chapter and Troop 46 OA Representative on the Colonneh Lodge contingent for NOAC in 2015. He was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, and his Vigil name was “Degugotanv Adanvdo” which translates to “Determined Spirit”. It fit him perfectly! 

Henry was a leader in school, scouting, the community, and in our family. He never wanted special dispensations for his illnesses.  He pushed past all his medical issues to lead a life fuller than most people live in 80 years. His wit, charm, and light will be sorely missed.

There will be a memorial service immediately followed by a Celebration of Life in the same location shown below. The events will take place outdoors with plenty of room for social distancing. Please wear a mask.

Date:            Saturday, January 30, 2021

Time:            1:00 p.m.

Location:       Greater Houston Sports Club (6700 McHard Drive, Houston, TX 77053)

We will Facebook Live (via Betsy Walling Furler’s Facebook page) the service for those who are unable to join us in person.

The Rite of Interment was held at the columbarium at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas, on January 16, 2021.  (This was recorded and can also be found on Betsy’s Facebook page.)

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Henry, please do that through U.R. Our Hope (https://urourhope.org/donate). All money will be used for expenses surrounding his death and to start a foundation to support the causes Henry cared about. Donations through U.R. Our Hope are tax deductible.