Henderson, James E. ("Jim")

James E. ("Jim") Henderson was born on November 14, 1931, on a farm near Seymour, IA. Jim passed away on April 20, 2017. He was the fourth of five children born to Meredith C. and Neva (nee Richard) Henderson. On December 23, 1968, he was united in marriage to Ruth M. Hoyenga. Jim and Ruth had two children, son, Shane, and daughter, Erika.

Jim attended elementary school in one room school houses and graduated from Seymour High School in 1949. He attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in agricultural education. While at Iowa State, Jim participated in Air Force ROTC and he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at graduation. In 1953, he entered the United States Air Force and received primary pilot training at Bartow AB, Florida, and basic pilot training at Bryan AFB, Texas.

Early in his career, he attended Personnel Officer School at Scott AFB, Illinois. During his career he served as Squadron Adjutant, Group Personnel Officer, Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Wing Standardization Pilot; and, he received his senior pilot wings. While stationed in France, he spent several months in Athens, Greece, on a team to develop a personnel classification system for the Greek Air Force.

In 1962, Jim was seriously injured in a plane crash in South Vietnam and he was hospitalized for approximately two years. In 1965, he was retired as a Captain in the Air Force due to disabilities he suffered from the plane crash.

From 1966 to 1968, Jim attended the University of New Mexico and received a BBA degree concentrating on accounting. In 1970, he received his CPA certificate. He worked for two local accounting firms and for a time worked for a regional accounting firm. He and another CPA later formed their own accounting firm, which they operated for approximately fifteen years.

After retirement, Jim found great enjoyment in singing with the Young at Heart Choir as well as being a devoted member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Harry Merritt; and his brother, Alton Henderson. He is survived by his son, Shane A. Henderson; his daughter and son-in-law, Erika L. and Brian Cost; his grandson, James ("Jim") S. Cost; his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Jerrie Henderson; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Jean Henderson; and his sister-in-law, Lupe Henderson.

Jim was a devoted father and husband. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be April 27, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 210 Alvarado Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, followed by Burial at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Young at Heart Choir, P.O. Box 92692, Albuquerque, NM 87199, or to Redeemer Lutheran Church. Please visit our online guest book for Jim at www.FrenchFunerals.com