Civic leader Jack Hensley dies

Longtime Kalispell banker and civic leader Jack Hensley died Thursday at his summer residence in Lakeside, leaving a legacy of behind-the-scenes contributions that have benefited the Flathead Valley in many ways.

Hensley, 86, was perhaps most well-known for his work as a local banker. In 1962 he and Jack King bought the former State Bank of Somers, chartered in 1911 and located in downtown Somers. The conversion to Valley Bank of Kalispell occurred in 1964 when Hensley and King moved the charter to the present location in Kalispell.

Owning the bank came about with help from a man named Buckman at the First National Bank of St. Paul in Minnesota, Jack’s daughter, Joan Brennan, said.

“He was really their leader through the process of founding the bank,” she said.

Both Hensley and King believed that an independently, locally owned community bank can best serve the local citizens and economy. “The two Jacks,” as they were known, alternated the jobs of bank president and vice president/chairman of the board on an annual basis through the years.

About six years ago Hensley and King assumed vice president positions to allow the next generation of their families to step into the top spots at Valley Bank.

Mark Hensley said his father was active at the bank until last August, when he took a vacation and then cut back his involvement to the monthly board meetings. Jack resigned from the board in February.

“He counseled a lot of people,” Mark said, noting how his father found a niche helping older citizens with financial matters after their spouses had died.

Jack Hensley was a quiet contributor who preferred to work behind the scenes, Mark said.

Brennan agreed.

“He was really just a quiet contributor really to our community, kind of an unsung hero,” she said. “He never wanted praises. He just wanted to help people.”

That help took several forms over the years. Jack Hensley served his country in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II. After his discharge, he went home to Montana and earned a degree from the University of Montana’s School of Business Administration.

Hensley worked for various banks before he and King began operating Valley Bank, and over the years, he served on the state Banking Board and was director of the Montana Bankers Association.

But his passions extended far beyond the banking world. Hensley served his community faithfully over the years.

“He was so actively involved in a lot of things,” Brennan said. “He was a beautiful man, and he led a wonderful life. He was loved by so many people and did so much for so many people.”

Hensley spent several years on the Kalispell City Council, was a trustee of the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery Association for 30 years and was a member of Sisters of Mercy Hospital. He was also a member of several civic organizations, including Trinity Lodge No. 152, the Bagdad Shrine Temple, the Elks Lodge and Rotary.

Henley was a faithful supporter of the Bigfork Summer Playhouse and had long been devoted to Buffalo Hill Golf Club. When he wasn’t golfing, Hensley enjoyed fly fishing and skiing.

He was also active in his children’s activities as they were growing up, Brennan said. She remembers her father helping with Little League and Cub Scouts.

“He was just so proud of his kids,” she said.

Two of those children, Dan and Mark, grew up to serve on the board at Valley Bank and still live in the Flathead Valley. Hensley’s identical triplet girls, Jane, Jean and Joan, have spread out with their families. Brennan lives in Kirkland, Wash.; Jean Estep lives in Ketchum, Idaho; and Jane Hensley lives in Missoula.

Hensley is also survived by Connie, his wife of 54 years.

The family plans to honor Hensley’s life at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he was a member. A service will follow at a later date.