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By CARRIE JOHNSON
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 23, 2001
HOMOSASSA -- James A. Henley had been planning this day for a long time. His oldest daughter, Catina, was giving birth and he was going to Tampa to welcome his grandson into the world.
"He told several people, "Don't look for me tomorrow. I'll be in Tampa,' " said Henley's sister, Pam Wise.
Instead, the 44-year-old Homosassa resident was killed the morning of May 16 when he lost control of his car and struck a tree on Mason Creek Road. Henley was pronounced dead less than nine hours before the birth of his grandson, Blake Allen Heydinger.
A memorial service for Henley was held Tuesday. But for Henley's friends and relatives, there are still many unanswered questions.
According to an accident report, Henley was driving north on Mason Creek just north of Eldred Lane when he came to a bend in the road.
For unknown reasons, he lost control of the car and hit the tree head-on. Henley was taken by rescue workers to Leesburg Medical Center.
Wise said she knew only that her brother was on his way to a friend's house at the time of the 3:50 a.m. wreck. There was nothing to obstruct Henley's view and no defects to his vehicle were found, the report said. Ronda Hemminger Evan, a spokeswoman for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, said Henley's blood was being tested for alcohol, a process that can take up to six months.
Wise said her brother was a tugboat captain, working the waters between New Orleans and Tampa. "He loved the water," Wise said. "Even when he was home, he would put his boat in the water and take his kids out on it."
A Florida native, Henley was an avid Seminoles fan and loved NASCAR racing. He was divorced with three grown children, 28-year-old Katina, 27-year-old Jody and 26-year-old Angie, all of Tampa.