J.B. Henderson, Jr., eighty-seven, of Waurika, Oklahoma, went home to be with his Lord December 27, 2006 at the Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was born June 9, 1919, one of three children born to John Bynum and Maude Henderson. He was born near Waurika and grew up on various farms in the area, graduating from Waurika High School in 1937.
J.B. served his country in the US Army from 1941 to 1946. He was sent to the Marshall Islands, the Caroline Islands and on to Okinawa, serving in the medical supply as a sergeant. In 1943, he married Ester Brantley in Joplin, Missouri. They enjoyed sixty-three years together. Upon J.B.'s retirement from the Army, they lived on the family farm until 1963, when a flood destroyed the home. J.B. had just retired from a lifetime of farming and ranching. In 1965, they moved to Waurika and J.B. began working for the Mangum Oil and Gas Company. When he retired from Mangum he became involved with the Waurika Senior Citizens group for whom he served as President of the Board for several years.
J.B. enjoyed being with his family and friends. He enjoyed sports, especially when he could watch his grandchildren play. He loved his grandchildren and they loved him dearly. He also enjoyed fishing, reading westerns, working puzzles, and gardening, the proceeds of which he gladly shared with others. J.B. was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He will always be missed and fondly remembered.
Survivors include: his wife Esther, of the home in Waurika, OK; one daughter - Janice and her husband Eldon Snowden of Loyal, OK; one son - David Henderson and his wife Lynn of Waurika, OK; seven grandchildren - Shelly and her husband Nathan Freelander of Loyal, OK, Jeff Snowden and his wife Jessica of Loyal, OK, Jay Snowden and his wife Caroline of McCloud, OK, Holly and her husband Shelby Long of Hollis, OK, Jason Henderson of Norman, OK, Chat Hooper and his wife Nicole of Wichita Falls, TX, and Courtney Hooper of Lawton, OK; and eight great-grandchildren - Riley Freelander and Noah Snowden of loyal OK, Jayden Snowden of McCloud, OK, Merek, Keaton and Ayden Long of Hollis, OK, and Parker and Owen Hooper of Wichita Falls, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters - Juanita Smith and Ozelia Kelman.
Funeral services for Mr. Henderson were at 10:00 AM, Friday, December 29, 2006, at the First Baptist Church in Waurika, Oklahoma with Rev. Aaron Summers officiating. Burial was in the Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Waurika. Memorial contributions may be made to the Waurika Senior Citizens.