James Dodd Henson

Jim was born January 22, 1917, in Denison, Texas, the son of Jeptha “Jake” Thomas Henson and Johnnie Blanche Black. Jim evolved to become a robust, dynamic man of exceptional industriousness, integrity, virtue, and honor. His love for his family was boundless Jim was a towering figure, not only in physical stature but more so in the power of his personality—no one who met Jim would ever forget their encounter. He steadfastly lived his religious beliefs with all his heart and soul. And, as one of the faithful members of Killeen’s Skyline Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Killeen, God filled his soul with the wisdom of the ages and reassurances of eternal life.

Jim packed many lifetimes into his extraordinary life. He achieved enviable distinction in the military, he enjoyed theatrics of historical reenactment. Jim enlisted in the National Guard in the 1930s, was activated into U.S. Army for the duration of World War II, and later became one of the most highly trusted and invaluable experts in the ultra-secretive world of protecting our nation’s nuclear defense. In his 31-year of military career he received many commendations and a Warrant Officer commission as a CWO 3. Jim retired from military duty in 1971 and began Civil Service at Fort Hood that ended in 1981. Capitalizing on his electronics education at Furman University and his employment at radio stations in South Carolina and Texas, he became an integral volunteer in the disaster relief mission of Ham Radio Operators as W5BVN for 65 years. Jim aided in the rescue and disaster preparedness operations of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for four years. He was a 32nd-degree Mason, in Lodge 1123 and of Walden Lodge 274 over a span of 65 years. For 16 of those years he guided the Boy Scouts of America, attaining the esteemed rank of “Vigil” in BSA’s Order of the Arrow. Jim served his community as a member of Sottish Rite and Wes–Bell Shriners Club. Bringing the Old Wild West back to life as a reenactor, historian, and captivating teller of spellbinding true tales with the Red River Gunfighters Association. He loved native American ancestry and travelling the country as a member of the Alamo RV Club of San Antonio, the Cajun RV Club of Louisiana, with SMART (Special Military and Retired Travel Club).

Jim was preceded by his first wife of 59 years, Katherine Parham Henson. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Janell McCaa-Henson of Killeen; children: Jonnie Brull of Mishicot, WI, Nola Cottom of Austin, James Henson, Jr. of Round Rock, William Henson of Austin, and Mary Perrone of Georgetown; ten grandchildren; three step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, Killeen. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 17, at the First Baptist Church of Killeen. Interment will follow at Killeen City Cemetery with military and Masonic services. Please visit www.crawfordbowerfuneralhome.com for online tributes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital