Houston K. Henderson
November 24, 1928 ~ December 31, 2007
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Houston K. Henderson, 79, of Fletcher, formerly of Asheville, died Monday, December 31, 2007, at the VA Medical Center.
A Henderson County native, he resided in Henderson and Buncombe counties most of his life. Houston was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Bernice McCall Henderson and by his first wife Ruth Muse Henderson who died in 1990.
He was an Army veteran of WW II and was a retired office manager and administrative judge with the Social Security Administration and the owner of Asheville Stamp and Sign.
His family was most important to him. They were the loves of his life, always coming first. He served in several PTA’s and coached his sons’ Little League ball teams. He was an avid fisherman and an amateur photographer.
Houston was a Charter Member of the Erwin Lion’s Club. His involvement in Lionism began in the mid-fifties, after he had served in World War II and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Carolina University. He served for many years on the Board of Directors of Western North Carolina Lions, Inc, holding all officer positions including President.
In recognition of Houston’s service through his involvement in Lions, a few of the major awards he received were: three International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, two International President’s Leadership Awards, and the second highest award in International Lionism - the International President’s Medal. Houston was a Melvin Jones Fellow and a Progressive Jack Stickley Fellow.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Marcia McCall Henderson of Mills River; one daughter, Kae Arrington and her husband, Bill, of Green Mountain; three sons, Kirk Henderson and his wife, Jackie, of Mills River, Fred Henderson and his wife, Linda, of Ellenboro, and Tony Henderson and his wife, Anna, of Leicester; one step-daughter, Merle Reese and her husband, Tony, of Hendersonville; one step-son, Richard King and his wife, Sandra, of Hendersonville; thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Houston will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Green Hills Cemetery.
The family will receive visitors at the home from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday.
Friends and acquaintances are invited to share memories and fellowship at a celebration of Houston's life on Tuesday January 8th, at 4:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall of the Mills River United Methodist Church, 131 Old Turnpike Road in Mills River Township (828-891-3307).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Ruth Henderson Scholarship Fund, c/o Buncombe County Schools Foundation, 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806, or to Campaign Sight First II. Checks made out to LCIF-CSFII should be sent c/o David Masters, 80 Poplar Street, Canton, NC 28716.
Dear Marcia and family
We are so sorry to hear of Houston’s passing… It seems that just yesterday we saw him and you working the Lion’s ‘Dollar Store’ at the N. C. Mountain Fair.
It was a privilege to know and work with such a fine man. His Lion’s Club activities were so dear to him and he worked so very hard in all his endeavors.
I looked forward to his coming in my office at the fair each year before I retired. He always was so pleaseant, kind and so nice to work with.
Marcia, you are special too, as I have always treasured your friendship and appreciated your hard work with the Lions Club at the fair.
God will be with you and will lead you thru the trying days ahead…. Just trust in Him.
I am sorry that we will be unable to attend the service as we just got back to Florida late saturday night. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you…
Love you
Irma and Buddy Rudisill
Marsha, Kay, Kirkwood,Fred and Tony, I am sorry to hear that uncle Huston passed. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you all.
Please call me if I can do anything. (704) 309-0319
From him we learned what it means to be a lion. From him we learned to laugh at our mistakes. From him we learned that we could always find some way to help those in need. From him we learned that you can love someone you have only known a short while. We will truly miss him.
My condolences and thanks for your service to Lions and your country.
H. C. Wood-Hot Springs Lions Club
We are saddened to hear of Houston passing. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and paryers during this time.
I pray each member of the family knows God’s love and comfort at this time so soon after Houston’s death and in the continuing adjusting days ahead. I know pleasant memories of such a gracious man are heart treasures.
With our sympathy and love,
Jean Young
~~~
‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.’
2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV
Dear Marcia and family —
I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Houston’s passing. I worked with him at the fair this past October and, as always, he was a joy and made the time both fun and interesting. I know that he will be missed by all and please know that he will be remembered by all that knew him. My heart and prayers are with you,
Dear Marcia,
We were sorry to hear of the loss of Houston. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Houston was a great Lion and an inspiration to all Lions. He will be sorely missed. Our prayers go with you.
I had both Mr and Mrs Henderson at Erwin in the late 80’s. He was such a wonderful person and was so good to his students. I remember when he had his surgery and we would roll him around the halls at school in a wheelchair. I remember how much fun he was on the senior trip and he was even one of my references for several years after I got out of school. I know he will be truly missed and my condolences go out to the family. He was a wonderful and fun-loving person. You are in my prayers.
I am truly sorry for your loss. He was and will remain a remarkable man whose passion of caring for the blind will be his legacy remembered for years to come. I will always be grateful for his support and encouragement while in high school and college. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor, and most of all, a friend. God bless you all.
Esther & I WISH TO EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHY. OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU
AND YOURS ON THE LOSS OF A GREAT HUSBAND, LION AND OUR FRIEND!!
SINCERELY, Lacy
Marsha,Kay,Kirk, Tony and Fred I was so sorry to hear about Houston.I worked with him at SSA for many years, bowled, hunted and fished with him. He was truly a great person. Tom & Mary Anne Johnson
Marsha,Kay,Kirk, Tony and Fred I was so sorry to hear about Houston.I worked with him at SSA for many years, bowled, hunted and fished with him. He was truly a great person. Tom & Mary Anne Johnson
Dear Marcia and all the members of Houston’s family – In our minds, we will always remember Lion Houston as a person that spent his life dedicated to causes and the needs of others. Each time we met we discovered a new facet of this milti-talented individual. There is now a huge void within the world of Lionism. Houston, may the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the rains fall soft upon your fields and the sun shine warm upon your face, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. We miss you.
Dear Marcia and all the members of Houston’s family – In our minds, we will always remember Lion Houston as a person that spent his life dedicated to causes and the needs of others. Each time we met we discovered a new facet of this milti-talented individual. There is now a huge void within the world of Lionism. Houston, may the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the rains fall soft upon your fields and the sun shine warm upon your face, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. We miss you.
Dear Marcia and all the members of Houston’s family – In our minds, we will always remember Lion Houston as a person that spent his life dedicated to causes and the needs of others. Each time we met we discovered a new facet of this milti-talented individual. There is now a huge void within the world of Lionism. Houston, may the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the rains fall soft upon your fields and the sun shine warm upon your face, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. We miss you.
Dear Marcia,
We were so saddened to learn of Houston’s death. We talked of when we first met the two of you, on our Alaska trip, and how much fun we had. We talked about what a good man he was–all the things he did for others. We’re so glad we got to share life with the two of you through Lions. He was a very special man and will be missed by many, especially by all of his fellow Lions.
We are praying for your family at this tme of Houston’s homegoing.
Dear Marcia and Family,
Thinking of you in your hour of sorrow, and extending heartfelt sympathy.
We truly are going to miss Houston. He has been an oustanding Lion and an asset to the New Club Extension Workshops in North Carolina. We have truly lost a GREAT Lion and the world has lost a GREAT person.
We value our frienship with Houston and you. Time will pass and the pain will lessen, but memories will be forever present of someone who was so special to so many people.
We Love Each of You and May God Bless .
Love,
John & Wanda
We will always have fond memories of Houston and his dedication to Lionism, especially when it came to his enthusiasm for leading our statewide efforts in Extension. Who will ever forget his portraying the Norwegian Explorer inviting us to join him on a Jungle Prowl for new clubs. Memories of this will last a long time.
Dear Marcia,
We are sadden to hear of Houstons passing. He was a great Lion and an insperation to all that new him. He will truly be missed.
Franklin Lions Club
We are so sorry to hear about Houston:s death.We thought alot of him. Enjoyed our trips with him.You have been in our prayer lately. Bill & Lita Osborne
Marcia and family,
My prayers are with you and your family over the passing of a truly gentle and kind man. I have not had the pleasure of knowing you both for a long period of time but Huston was a great Lion and I learned so much about Lionism through him. Please know my thougths and prayers are with you and your family.
Withy deepest sympathy and respect,
Lion Michaelle
Kae,Kirk,Fred & Tony,
We are sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He will be truley missed by all who knew him. May your memories help get you all, through this difficult time.
Love & Prayers
Steve,Sharon Roberson
Crystal,Daniel Ball
Chad,Stephanie Roberson
Viola Cole
Dear Marcia and Family,
You have been in our hearts and prayers especially during these last few weeks. You are a wonderful family. Thank you, Marcia, for sharing Houston’s enthusiasm, creativity, and caring with all of us.
Love,
Dale & Laraine
I was very saddened to learn of the loss of Houston. He will be sorely missed by the Lions across the State, more especially in District A Please accept my sincere sympathy for Marcia and the rest of the family.
Dear Marcia & family – There is now a huge void in the world of Lionism with the passing of a truly dedicated individual, your husband, father and soul mate. I observed and admired this gentleman for his keen wit and love of the idea of helping those in need. Houston, this favorite verse is especially for you: May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back. May the rains fall soft upon your fields and the sun shine warm upon your face, and, until we meet again, may GOD hold you in the palm of his hand. We miss you.
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Marcia and Family,
We are so saddened to hear of Houston’s passing. The two or you have been very special friends to us for many years. Even though we have not been active in Lionism in the past few years, we have continued to remember you with many fond memories.
Please accept our sympathy.
Earl and Mary Wise
Marcia, Kae, Kirk, Fred and Tony,
I know Houston wants his spiritual life to be celebrated and not the passing of his physical being to be mourned. Think of the wonderful spirit and memories he gave to us and, in turn, what we will pass on to others. Those will be his legacy’?his life after death. Above all, I remember and cherish his humor (especially the Henderson and McCall family stories and the funny jokes), his creativity (he created so many solutions to challenges he and others had), and his servant-leadership. He was devoted to helping others (from family to friends and to people he had never met) and was a leader in teaching others how to be of service (especially in the Lions Club). You can be extremely proud to be related to him. I am!
Cousin Mick and Kathy Henderson
Dear Marcia & Family,
We were sorry to hear of Houston’s Death. All of you are in our Thoughts & Prayers.
Love,
Lois & Roland
I am so happy to have known someone as positive as Houston. I can only hope to pass on the kindness I have seen him give so many people. He will be missed so much but we will always think of him and smile.
Marcia and Children,
I am sadden to loose my cousine as he was a leading force in our Henderson family. We always knew that he would be there to make all our gatherings special. His smile, laughter and bright sprit was an inspration to all of us. Our family will miss him but know that his legacy will keep him with us forever. He made beautiful memories for all of our tomorrows.
May God Be With You His Family.
Doris Arduengo and Family
2704 W. Eddy Dr.
Tampa, Fl. 33614
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Marcia,
Houston will be missed, his hard work and dedication to Lionism was appreciated by all who knew him.
Bob & Pat Roland
SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF SUCH A WONDERFUL MAN. WE KNOW HEAVEN IS LOOKING MORE BEAUTIFUL EVERDAY, BECAUSE GOD ALWAYS TAKES THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS. HOUSTON WAS JUST THAT..HE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN AND IT IS A LOSS TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE FAMILY.