Welling, Ok – Funeral services for James “Jim” Duncan Henderson will be held on Monday, February 10th, 2014 at 10:00 AM in The Place Where They Play at Sequoyah Schools in Tahlequah, OK, with Brother Choogie Kingfisher officiating. Wake services will be observed at Reed-Culver Funeral Home Saturday, February 8th, 2014, from 5:00PM until 8:00PM. Visitation will be Sunday, February 9th, 2014, from 12:00PM until 5:00PM, also at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Interment will be held at McCoy Cemetery in Sallisaw, OK. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.
James Henderson, or Jim to his family and friends, was born on July 19th, 1947, in Tahlequah, OK. The son of William Lawrence and Geneva (Butler) Henderson, Jim graduated from Wagoner High School in 1965 and was a member of the State Basketball Championship team.
Upon graduating high school, Jim was awarded a basketball scholarship to Connors State College graduating in 1967.
Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served his country honorably from September 26th, 1967, until he was discharged on February 5th, 1971, attaining the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and 2 Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Combat Action Ribbon and the National Defense Service Metal.
Following the war years, Jim returned to school and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice where he was a member of the Phi Lambda Chi Fraternity. After receiving his degree from Northeastern State University, Jim supervised the Wagoner County EMS.
Jim acquired his Alcohol and Drug Counselor license and served his community at Bill Willis Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Center, Jack Brown Center and Green Country Behavioral Health Services retiring in 2010.
The love of his life, Mary Catherine HorseChief, became his bride on June 6th, 1992, at Dwight Mission near Sallisaw. They enjoyed each other’s company and made beautiful memories together for 22 years.
Jim came from a family of musical people and taught himself to play the guitar. There was not a more devoted sports fan than Jim, who loved attending sporting events of all levels from local community youth leagues to professional sports leagues. Jim was a fan of people, always encouraging and listening to the young and old. He loved his canine companion, Yona, and cat, Pie.
Jim passed from this life to his eternal rest at his home on February 4th, 2014, in Welling. Jim was 66 years old. He will be greatly missed as a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Walisi Henderson in 1996, and one sister, Sharon “Jo” Purget.
Those left to cherish Jim’s memory include his wife, Mary, of the home in Welling. He leaves two sisters, Linda Gonino and husband Dr. John Gonino of Rockwell, TX and Janet Skinner and husband Fred of Wagoner, OK., aunts Katherine, Cherry, Omer Henderson, Myrna, Lorene and uncle Jack Henderson.
Those wishing to send an expression of sympathy are asked to make donations to Tahlequah Men’s Homeless Shelter, 118 West Keetoowah Street, Tahlequah, OK, 74464. Attn: Becky Stevens
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