Henry David McCrea

In late October 2025, Portland native Henry David McCrea passed away at his home in Portland at the age of 31. Born January 11, 1994, to parents Dean McCrea and Nancy Pond McCrea, Henry graduated from Central Catholic High School in 2012 and received his associate’s degree from Portland Community College.

Everyone knew Henry as a big, lovable teddy bear who gave hugs so powerful they would nearly “choke the life out of you.” By age 13, he stood 6’ 8” tall and wore a size 14 shoe. His formidable presence came in handy during high school football games as he effortlessly swatted down defensive players from the opposing teams to the delight of onlookers. Though his size and tender heart made him a true gentle giant, Henry was no cliché. He was more a study in contrasts.

From a young age sports were an important part of Henry’s life. He gravitated to team sports like Little League baseball, lacrosse, basketball, and varsity football, not because he was competitive, but because he craved the camaraderie of his teammates. The deep connections he formed in his youth grew into profound friendships that remained an important part of his life (shoutout Healey and Fergus! Did someone say fajitas?!). It was in the company of his buddies that Henry learned to step beyond his quiet, introverted nature and become an entertaining jokester with a penchant for pop culture references, celebrity impressions, and inside jokes.

Henry was also known as a famously giving and generous person who once even gave someone the literal shirt off his back. Although he personally shied away from the spotlight, his acts of kindness were hard to miss. His generosity was never more evident than when Henry was in 8th grade and his mom, Nancy, passed away from cancer. In her honor, Henry spearheaded a Locks of Love Donation Day at his high school where, after he and his classmates had grown out their hair, it was ceremoniously cut and donated to a children’s charity. That event and Henry’s efforts were celebrated in an award-winning documentary titled Henry’s Hair, filmed and produced by Henry’s late father, Dean McCrea.

After losing his mom, Henry grew up as an only child in a loving home with his dad, Dean, and his “not-so-evil” stepmother, Meredyth Warren, until Dean’s passing in 2019. Their small family was another contrast to the massive extended families of his parents. On his mother’s side—the Ponds—Henry is survived by 65 cousins who live all over the world.

On his father’s side, he is survived by Dean’s adoptive sisters Dale McCrea Matthews, Dannah McCrea Miller, and Drew McCrea Allie, as well as five cousins. He is also survived by Dean’s biological family—Kathleen True, Sandi Retherford, Barbara Peterson, Kelly Mann, Michael Mann, Wally Morey, and Kaylee Unger—and 19 more cousins. (That’s 89 cousins, if you’re counting.)

A Celebration of Henry’s Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on November 22, 2025, at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, 1000 NE Multnomah Blvd., Portland, OR 97232. All who knew and loved Henry are invited to attend, share stories, and remember the special person he was. Who knows? There might even be fajitas.

Henry will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his warmth, humor, and heart. His hugs, laughter, and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.