Kenneth James Henderson

August 4, 1933 - December 10, 2020

Kenneth James Henderson, 87, of Longtown , OK., passed away in Tulsa while in Ascension St. John’s Hospital. He was born August 4, 1933, in Plover, Pocahontas County, Iowa, to Raymond & Margaret (Beaver-Crook) Henderson. He was born on a 40-acre farm in Northern Iowa into a large loving family. He had 2 brothers & 3 sisters. He enjoyed gardening his entire life. Kenneth graduated from Plover High School in 1952 and then attended telegrapher school in Omaha, Nebraska. After completing his schooling, he worked in Spokane, Washington for the Union Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher. In 1953 he received “greetings” from the President of the United States, and quickly headed for the Air Force enlistment center. He received high scores on his testing and was immediately put in Cadet Training School as the Air Force needed pilots. During Cadet training, he permanently injured his ankle and could no longer become a pilot. He was sent to Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama where he met and married Jessie Helen Weddle on October 19, 1954. Kenneth was honorably discharged from the US Air Force in November 1955. Ken and Jessie had 3 wonderful children together: Margaret, Kenton, & James. They lived in Mobile, Alabama for a few years and then moved to Pensacola, Florida where he went back to school to become a Machinist. In 1971 Kenneth and his family moved to Missouri. They were married for 54 years before Jessie passed away on February 3, 2009. Kenneth accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior when he was a young man and diligently served the Lord the remainder of his life. He studied the Bible and loved to teach and share the gospel. He was known as a true man of God and was so loved by everyone who knew him. Kenneth then married Mary Ellen (Fallwell) McCoy on January 1, 2010, in Willard, Missouri. He then made his home with Mary in Longtown, Oklahoma. They enjoyed almost 11 wonderful years together, going to church at Faith Community Church in Whitefield, Oklahoma, traveling around the country, exploring Lake Eufaula in their pontoon boat, fishing, gardening, and simply enjoying their golden years together. Ken is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Henderson of the home; a sister, Linda Branch of Panama city, FL.: a brother Ray & wife, Joyce Henderson of Des Moines, IA; his son, James Lee & wife Rachael Henderson of Sleeper, MO.; a son-in-law, Larry Owens of Sleeper, MO.; 2 stepdaughters, Karen Mena of Vista, California & Tresha & Jerry Wages of Whitefield, OK. 3 stepsons, Stephen Lieber of Medellin, Colombia; Bryan McCoy of Salem, OR; & Craig & Sheri McCoy of Weatherford, OK; 5 grandchildren, Brent & Lindsey Henderson, Amy Owens, James & Vinnie Owens, Jaiden Henderson, and Payton Henderson; 7 step-grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; many step great-grandchildren, lots of cousins & friends. Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond & Margaret Henderson; his first wife, Jessie Henderson; a son Kenton Ray & his wife, Penny Henderson; a daughter, Margaret Denise Owens; a brother Robert Henderson; 2 sisters, Eileen Babcock & Virginia Helleseth; a step grand daughter, Elizabeth De Graw. The date of Ken's memorial is now pending. His final resting place will be at Church Grove Cemetery in Foose, Missouri, next to his first wife, Jessie.