of Conway, AR
November 30, 1942 - March 22, 2022
Jerald Dee Henderson, 79, went to be with the Lord on March 22, 2022. He was born November 30, 1942, in Rogers, Arkansas to Ines and Sterling Dee Henderson. Jerald is survived by his wife Melinda, daughter Debbie Barthol and husband Steve along with sons Tyler and Alex; daughter Deana Glenn and husband Kirk along with daughters Taylor and Brooke and sons Bryan and Jeffrey; brother Danny Henderson and his children Tim Henderson and Kelli Henderson Kilgore; sister-in-law Sandra Savage and her husband Dennis and children Alan and Stan; and proceeded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Sara (Fife) Elmore and brother-in-law Billy Fife, survived by niece Jill Fife and nephews Andy Fife and Jim Fife.
Jerald was raised in Decatur on a family farm, the son of a military purple heart recipient and a strong loving mother that epitomized the phrase "domestic engineer". After accepting the Lord at age 16, Jerald attended the Oklahoma State University where he earned a tech degree in drafting and design engineering. During his college years, he lived with his uncle Lee and aunt Thelma Burgess. They loved and cared for him like a son.
Jerald was introduced to his loving bride to be Melinda Mansell by mutual friends and were wed on July 6, 1963. He was blessed with his first daughter Debbie while a draftsman for Sandia Corporation in New Mexico. Later he become a body shop manager in Del City, Oklahoma when he was blessed with a second daughter Deana who arrived while working to send his wife to college and support her in finishing her nursing degrees. He later became the service and body shop manager for Bob Moore Cadillac in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Jerald was a huge fan of all things automotive - NASCAR, Drag Racing and car shows. A man known for being meticulous, Jerald had a professional car restoration service for several years specializing in 50's and 60's year model makes. And always true to GM, Jerald was a proud owner of several Chevrolet vehicles including the Corvette, Chevelle, Silverado, Impala, Monte Carlo, Suburban, Z28, IROC-Z, and Corvair.
After he was retired, Jerald enjoyed traveling the country with his devoted wife Melinda to national parks and U.S. landmarks eventually landing in The Village in Conway, Arkansas. He and Melinda were inseparable and married for almost 59 loving years sharing their love for the Lord, always putting Jesus Christ first.
In addition to spending enjoyable time with his grandchildren, family and friends, Jerald attended his local church and gave back to his community by volunteering time for Operation Christmas Child, donating coffee services for Fellowship Bible Church in NWA, and supporting Thanksgiving meal handouts for the Arkansas Dream Center at New Life Church.
Throughout his life, Jerald was a giving man who exhibited grace, strength, selflessness. He had a strong work ethic and led by example influencing all those he knew ''leaving each person or situation better than he found it". He will be missed greatly by all; however, there is no greater peace than knowing he is with the Lord.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jerald's name to Lewy Body Dementia Association, Salvation Army, your local church or New Life Church.
https://www.lbda.org/donate/
https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/give/175635/#!/donation/checkout
https://www.newlifechurch.tv/giving
A celebration of Jerald's life will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 10-11 am at New Life Church Chapel on 633 S Country Club Rd, Conway, Arkansas 72034. Dress code preference would be jeans (Jerald's favorites were 501 Levi's).
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23 Condolence(s)
Colleen Glenn - Wilson
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Jerald very well as I only met him a few times in his later years. However, it is clear he was a stellar individual by knowing his family and being a part of his family, my sister in law is Deana. I do know of his great qualities and how loved and that says it all. It was a privilege to go to church with the family when I visited I know he loved the New Life Church and he loved Jesus Christ as his Savior. There is a Proverb 19:22 "What is desired in a man is kindness" and I believe that describes Jerald and that is a very good and rare thing today. You are home Jerald, God blessed you greatly.
Abbey Reynolds
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Deana and family,
It was my privilege to attend this celebration of life! What a blessing to hear about the honorable way he lived his life and loved his wife and family so well. All my love and prayers for God to sustain you in this time and the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Abbey
David Glenn
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Your in the Kingdom now...
God Bless you.
Jean Bremermann
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Praying you will have peace and many happy memories.
Jackie Robinette
Saturday, March 26, 2022
My deepest condolences for your loss. Love much.
Nancy Graddy
Saturday, March 26, 2022
David & CindyDeRosa
Saturday, March 26, 2022
With love.
Peggy Smith
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Praying for family.
Gary & Randa Adams
Saturday, March 26, 2022
We love you, Melinda. Praying for you.
Bryan and Becky Gray
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Carroll & Karen Duvall
Saturday, March 26, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss!
Aubrey and Chris Neumeier
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Prayers are with you
Jim and Virginia bryant
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Jim and Virginia bryant
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Bruce and Shelly Glenn
Friday, March 25, 2022
Sending love, thoughts, and prayers to you and your family during this tough time.
Deck and Linda Travis
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Deana you and your family are in our hearts and prayers. We pray that you have many cherished memories with your dad to hold on to forever & ever
Russ & Mari Bieker
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Melinda. Our sincere condolence to you and your family on the passing of your dear soul mate Gerald. So many fun times and memories you have shared in almost 60 yrs of marriage. Rest assured you will one day be with him again in heaven.
Dr Quentin Washispack
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Praying for the family during this time of grief. We know that Jerald is with Jesus now & we can take comfort in that!
Brian and Joye Gartside
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Melinda rest tonight for you are covered by God’s love and our prayers.
Bobby and Angela Conrad
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
We continue to pray for each of you to have God‘s sweet peace and comfort during this difficult time of loss. I can only imagine what he is experiencing right now! To God be the glory for this wonderful man and his family
Jeffrey Glenn
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
For as long as I known Jerald, he was nothing short of a kind-hearted person who was always, like Melinda, a person of God and cared deeply for his family. I send my condolences to Melinda, his family members and the many others who had the gift of meeting Jerald. I hope others can continue to be inspired by his acts of selflessness and love to his family.
Dennis & Sandra Savage
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Our dear brother in law, more brother, Jerald, we will see you in heaven. Dennis & I are thinking of all the good times we had together. The many trips we took together. We will miss you terribly but we are blessed to know you are with Jesus. To my dear sister, Melinda, I love you & will see you soon. Sandra & Dennis
Bill and Jean Bowen
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
We send our condolences and prayers to Melinda and Family for their loss of such a special person. Jerald and Melinda were one of the first people we met when we decided to move to Vicenza Villa. We will always remember how much Jerald loved to get on the tractor and mow the big fields on the land behind the Villa and also how much he loved doing puzzles.
Our sincerest sympathy,
Bill & Jean Bowen