By Jake Donovan

Omar Henry fell one week short of seeing his 26th birthday when passing away on February 1.

His birthday – February 8, which comes this Friday – will now serve as a homecoming, as the one-time promising prospect will be laid to rest in his city of birth in Chicago.

Relatives of Henry have made preparations for his final sendoff to take place this Friday at the Apostolic Church of Chicago, 6320 South Dorchester Avenue. Chicago Illinois 60637. A viewing will take place from 10am to 11am, with the funeral service to run from 11am to 2:30pm.

Those wishing to pay their last respects are asked to arrive early. Attempts are also being made to have the service streamed live via Ustream.tv, for all of Henry’s fans around the world who are not able to attend but wish to feel as if they can say their final goodbyes.

Henry passed away after a relatively brief yet fatal bout with gall bladder cancer. The Chicago-born fighter – who also spent time in Houston and later in Oakland – was hospitalized in mid-November for gall stones, just days prior to a scheduled Shobox debut appearance against Juan Ubaldo Cabrera.

Emergency surgery was performed at Broward Medical Health Center in South Florida, but Henry was admitted a month later into the University of Chicago Hospital in December. He remained there until late January, when he was transferred to hospice care before passing away soon thereafter.

Henry’s career ended with a mark of 12-0-1 (9KO).

The family continues to ask for support in this time of need, as Henry’s medical bills and pending death has left them financially crippled. Those wishing to donate can do so by sending money securely through PayPal to OmarDHenry87@gmail.com . Instructions are also listed on what has now become a tribute site at www.omarhenry.org .

Jake Donovan is the Boxingscene.com Managing Editor, Records Keeper for Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox