Henry Herold
Self
July 19, 1950 - July 19, 2023
Henry “Hank” Herold Self, Jr., of Florence, died at home surrounded by his loving family, on his 73rd birthday, July 19, 2023, after a brave battle with cancer. Hank was a brilliant attorney, gifted athlete, loving husband, and great father.
Hank was born in Florence, Alabama, on July 19, 1950. He was a graduate of Coffee High School, where he was captain of the 1967 football team. He was named to the Alabama High School football 4A All-State Team as well as the Super All-State Team. He earned a football scholarship to Auburn University. At Auburn, Hank was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity
and served as Vice President. He was also a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, Auburn’s pre-medical honor society. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University in 1972.
Hank continued his studies at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1975. After graduation, he practiced law at Rosser & Munsey and John D. Clement Law Firm in Tuscumbia before founding The Self Law Firm in Florence. Hank had a distinguished career as a trial lawyer representing plaintiffs in products liability, personal injury, and medical malpractice cases. He was a fierce advocate for his clients. He was admitted to practice before the Alabama Supreme Court as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits.
Hank was certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, was a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America as well as the Colbert and Lauderdale County Bar Associations, served as the President of the Colbert County Bar Association, and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association for well over a decade. Hank earned the honor of being named a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, composed of preeminent members of the Trial Bar from the United States and Canada. Less than 1% of the total lawyer population is eligible for membership.
Hank met his wife, Laura Jane, while they were in junior high school. They married on March 25, 1972. After graduate school, they returned to Florence and raised their three children at historic Woodlawn, a horse and cattle farm. He was a proud member of the Lauderdale County Cattlemen’s Association.
Hank retired from the practice of law in 2000. In retirement, he travelled the world with his family. He never missed an opportunity to spend time with his children and grandsons.
Hank was in awe of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. He spent most days rowing and watching wildlife on his beloved Tennessee River and most nights on his deck looking up at the stars. He had a lifelong obsession with the pursuit of knowledge, continually studying history, science, philosophy, and literature. He never quit learning.
Above all else, Hank’s greatest joy and purpose was being a father.
Hank is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Laura Jane; a daughter, Caroline; two sons, Wesley (Shea) and Neil; two grandsons, Henry Wakefield and Doran; a brother, Gil; a sister, Sue Raines (Bill); and a number of nieces and nephews. Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Hal and Shirley Self; grandparents, Iva Mae and Auburn Porterfield Williams; and grandparents, Lottie Belle and John Gilbert Self.
A private family celebration of life will be held.
No services listed.
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13 Comments on “Henry Herold Self”
Y’all have my sympathy.
We are here for you.
John and Ron
Ya’ll are in our thoughts and Prayers❤️
What a loss! I remember “Hank and Laura Jane” as a household “word” since the days of my childhood. My dad loved him so much and we all respected his deep intellect and also down to earth qualities— he was a fan of Willie Nelson, an avid gardener and lover of the great natural world. His awareness of the many threats to the environment led him to take measures to protect it. He was a gifted and unique person who will be greatly missed. My heart is sad and so heavy for his family.
Sue and entire family…I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Please accept my most sincere condolences and fervent prayers for peace and understanding. I am thinking of you all.
Marcia McIntyre
I was a fraternity brother and always thought the world of Hank. He was a humble person and never spoke unkindly about anyone. I’m so sorry for his early death and I know he’ll be missed by everyone who knew him.
Steve and I send our deepest sympathies. Hank was a great man. He will be missed.
May you take comfort from your memories of him. Prayers for strength for you all.
I am so sorry for your loss.
May God bless and comfort your family.
Michael Barrett
Caroline, Laura Jane, Gil, and Self family,
I know you have faced some especially difficult times recently with the loss of Shirley and now Hank. But over the last 30 years, I have observed your amazing strength and resilience. With God’s help, may that strength and the love of your many friends sustain you.
Much love,
Linda Young
Caroline, Laura Jane, Gil, and Self family,
I know you have faced some especially difficult times recently with the loss of Shirley and now Hank. But over the last 30 years, I have observed your amazing strength and resilience. With God’s help, may that strength and the love of your many friends sustain you.
Much love,
Linda Young
What a great loss! I remember “Hank and Laura Jane” as a household “ word” since the days of my childhood. My father loved Hank and the days with the cousins camping at Panther Creek. We all respected Hank’s deep intellectual abilities and also his down-to-Earth qualities: he was a huge fan of Wille Nelson and a lover of the great outdoors. He respected and revered the natural world and took personal measures to protect it. Hank will be greatly missed and he leaves a great void. My heart is heavy and goes out to Laura Jane who was with him every step of his final life journey. My prayers are going up for his family at this very difficult time.
I am keeping you all in prayer as you mourn the loss of Hank ; was such a surprise hearing the sad news; happy for Hank as he is now with Hal and Shirley as well as Aunt Iva Mae and Uncle Porter. My mother, Aunt Myrna and Uncle Buck are there to greet him. Blessings to you and your family as you walk through this grief together. Please stay in touch more with me more often. Love, Linda cousin in Decatur.