Donald Henson

Donald C. Henson went home to Heaven on Friday, February 17, 2012 at his home after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Don was born on March 2, 1935 at home in rural Wagoner County to Lora Faye (Faulkner) Henson and Joe Henson. He attended and graduated from Wagoner High School. On April 9, 1955, Don and Sue (Hamm) Henson were married. During this 41 year marriage, the couple had two children; Barry and Paula. Don lost his first wife, Sue on October 12, 1996, after a long battle with cancer. Don began working in the grocery business. Later he worked in the lab of John Deere and later managed the labs of Nipak and Cherokee Nitrogen in Pryor. In 1977, Don purchased Trucker's Inn Restaurant in Chouteau, which he and his son, Barry, owned and managed together for 27 years. Don went on to own and operate several convenience stores, restaurants and grocery stores in the Mayes County area. Don was a very hard working man and took pride in passing that value on to his son and daughter. Don enjoyed horse racing, gardening, yard work and, of course, cooking for all the family to enjoy. Don was so blessed to have a second chapter added to his life when he met a sweet first grade teacher named Julie Kelley. Don and Julie married on March 14, 1998 at their new home in Pryor. They were married just a few days short of 14 years. Don added Julie's children Lori Bradshaw with husband, Brian, and Keith Kelley to his heart and family tree. Don loved and was loved by his 10 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews along with the many people who were his employees along the way. Family members meeting Don at Heaven's gate were; his parents, his first wife, Sue, Sue's parents, Homer and Hazel Hamm, Nieces, Denise Siever Palmer and Joann Henson; brothers, J. D. Henson, Bill Henson, Jim Henson, brother-in-law, Junior Yates, infant sister, Alma Henson; step grandson, Matthew Guderian and Julie's 5 year old son, Kevin Kelley whom Don is meeting for the first time. Don is survived by his wife, Julie of the home; son, Barry and wife, Connie of Coweta and their children, Max Myers and wife, Shiann of Coweta, OK, and their four children, Chance, Riley, Ashley and Brett; Kaney Henson and two children, Allison and Andrea of Arroya Grande, CA; daughter, Paula Guderian and husband, Bob of Pryor, OK, and their children, Lucas Long of Las Vegas, NV and Emily Guderian of Stillwater, OK; step-daughter, Lori Ann Bradshaw and husband, Brian and their children, Tyler and Madison of Pryor, OK; step-son, Keith Kelley and his children, Kyleigh, Tyler and Hayden of Cheyenne, WY; brothers, Lou Henson and wife, Mary of Las Cruces, NM, Ken Henson and wife, Ellen of Fort Worth, TX; sister, Rosemary Yates of Wagoner, OK; sister-in-laws, Bettye Jackson and husband, Doug of Tyler, TX, Pat Carlile and husband, Van of Pryor, OK, Stephanie Ayala of Arlington, VA and Irene Palmer and husband, Donn of Albuquerque, NM; brothers-in-law, Steve Ayala and wife, Karen of Mansfield, TX and Tony Ayala of El Paso, TX. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2012 at 11 a.m., in the fellowship hall of the First Church of God in Pryor, Oklahoma. Pastor Andrew Rehbein will lead the service. To leave a personal message to his family, please see his web memorial at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the First Church of God Building Fund, 18 N. Rowe, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361. Cremation Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral Cremation Service.

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