Obituary of Jack Thomas Henderson

Jack Thomas Henderson passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Cruz on July 31, 2013 at the age of 87. Jack was born in Carlton, Georgia on February 5, 1926 to Joseph and Eva Henderson. At the age of 9 he lost both of his parents and was raised in the Bethany Reform Church Orphanage in Rockwell, NC. In 1942, after graduating from high school at the age of 16, he moved to Akron, Ohio to be near his sister Jane. He worked at a tire manufacturing plant until 1944 and at the age of 18, Jack joined the U.S. Army. He was a Private First Class in Company 1 of the 504th Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne and the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Germany. He was honorably discharged at the age of 20 with a Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, and Army of Occupation of Germany Medal. After the war he set off for California on his own and settled in Fresno where he drove a taxi and attended Fresno State on the GI Bill. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree. It was there that he met the love of his life, Sue Alsup, and they were married in 1949. He then moved to Oakland, CA for his residency and earned his credentials to become a Lab Technician. He and his family moved to Santa Cruz when he was offered a job to run the laboratory for the newly formed Santa Cruz Medical Clinic where he retired from in the early 80's. In his retirement years Jack enjoyed playing cards and golfing as well as attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He also loved to walk on West Cliff Drive with Sue and enjoyed the annual summer vacations with his family at Lake Tahoe. Jack is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sue Henderson; children, Sandi and Wiktor Kluzniak, Daryl and Marlene Henderson, Bob and Marybeth Henderson, and Dennis Henderson; grandchildren, Robert, Angela, Brandon, Marissa, Kaiti, Megan, and Molly; and great-grandchildren, Robert Jr., Ashleigh, Jack, Luke, and Bella. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Henderson and Eva Bailey; brothers, Bob and Hank Henderson; sister, Jane Smith; and grandson, Kyle Henderson. A private family service will be held on August 24, 2013. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Hospice of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066, 831-430-3000.