Dr. Harry M. Henderson Jr.

Dr. Harry McCorry Henderson entered into rest on December 31st 2011 at the age of 88. Born on July 18, 1923, he is survived by his daughter Margaret Kersey & son in law Gary Kersey, son Dr. Harry M. Henderson III & fiancee Chris Ossario, son William F. Henderson & wife Brenda Henderson, and son Richard R. Henderson & wife Susan Henderson.

Devoted to his late wife Susan and an inspiration to his 4 children, Dr. Henderson was known & loved as Grandpa to his 8 grandchildren & their spouses: Michael Kersey, Jennifer & husband Kurt Ivy, Briana & husband David Saussy, Blair Henderson, Brittany Henderson, Taylor Henderson & Daniel Henderson. He was cherished as great Grandpa by Ryley Cox-Kersey & Jasper Henderson Saussy. Dr. Harry Henderson was born at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and lived in numerous places growing up including China. He graduated from Georgetown Medical School in Washington, D.C. in 1946 and joined the United States Army in 1947. He met his late wife Susan, an RN, when she was assisting him in surgery prep-it was love at first sight-and they were married in April 1947. Dr. Henderson retired from the Army in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Dr. Henderson loved to help people as evidenced by his work as a physician and healer. From 1947-1965 he served as Assistant Chief of Surgery at DeWitt Army Hospital and Chief of Surgery at the US Army Hospitals in Nurnberg, Germany and Fort Campbell Kentucky. After retiring from the Army Dr. Henderson continued his acclaimed medical practice as a civilian and did not retire until 1997.

He was a stern yet fair father who imbued his children with a strong work ethic, respect for history & tradition, and a love of country. Dr. Henderson was a bit of a trickster-he loved his Daschund dogs and enjoyed watching them give the backyard squirrels a run for their money. He delighted in a big plate of stacked enchiladas with a fried egg on top-something that Susie would make for him every Friday night. He was a devout Catholic, dedicated to the Church and furthering the Church's mission in Christ. Descended from a line of Texan luminaries including various family members who served as Texas Rangers and the first Governor of the Republic of Texas, Dr. Henderson was especially inspired by his father, Col. Harry Henderson, a well-known Texan historian. As a result Dr. Henderson was a fount of knowledge when it came to our state's history and heritage.

Dr. Henderson had many admirable qualities, far too many to list here, but above all he was a gentleman in every sense of the word who held to his integrity, ethics, and stuck to his principles no matter what. His life provides all of his family with an exemplary model to follow and his passing leaves a void that cannot be filled.

A Funeral Mass for Dr. Henderson will be Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10:00AM at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.