CONWAY — Jerald Dee Henderson,

79, went to be with the Lord on March 22, 2022. He was born November 30, 1942, in Rogers, Ark., 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 preceded in death by his parents; sisterinlaw, 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, Okla., 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, Okla.

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 1950s and 1960s 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, Ark. 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 northwest Arkansas, 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 1011 a.m. at New Life Church Chapel on 633 S Country Club Rd., Conway, Ark. 72034. Dress code preference would be jeans (Jerald’s favorites were 501 Levi’s).