Dennis F. Henderson

Dennis Frank Henderson, 74, passed away in Harlingen, Texas, on April 9, 2022, with this wife and daughter at his side.

Dennis was born in Vernal, Utah and raised in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He was proud to have been in the United States Marine Corps, serving and receiving his Purple Hearts in Vietnam. He was a member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Dennis loved to ride his motorcycle and was the Vice President of the Spartan Cruisers L/E Motorcycle Club, a Past Exalted Ruler of the Harlingen Elks Lodge #1886, a Freemason and a Shriner. He was dedicated to the principles of these organizations and held the Elks Children’s Services in Ottine, Texas close to his heart. He loved to represent Santa Claus each December where needed and enjoyed the opportunity to watch the children of his co-workers grow up as they visited him at the company Christmas Party each year.

Dennis’ favorite activity was riding his motorcycle followed closely by cruising the oceans. He would have lived on a ship if he could have. He liked to RV to new and different places and had a great love of cooking creative new dishes.

Dennis held a degree in Welding and Fabrication from the Community College of Denver. He attained the level of journeyman pipefitter and later a Maintenance Supervisor for the Gates Rubber Company, having started there in high school as the mail boy. He worked at Gates in Denver until transferring to their plant in Elizabethtown, Kentucky where he retired in 2001.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Lee Ann Henderson of Harlingen; daughter Sandy Jo (Jodie) Henderson of Thornton, Colorado; and two grandchildren, LCpl Maxwell Whitaker, USMC, of 29 Palms California and Colby Whitaker of Denver, Colorado.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday April 16, 2022, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1417 E. Austin, Harlingen, Texas. Please wear your brightest and most colorful shirts.  He loved bright colors and patterns and we will joyfully celebrate his life. Following the service, a reception will be held in the Parish Hall.

The family would love to see his friends honor him by donating blood or platelets in his memory. Memorials may be made to Texas Elks Children’s Services, c/o Harlingen Elks Lodge #1889, 1426 S. Commerce, Harlingen, Texas 78550.