Donald David Henderson

Lieutenant Colonel Donald David Henderson, US Army, Retired Donald was born in Giddings, Texas, in 1940, where at the age of 14, he met his beloved Cynthia when he may/may not have thrown rocks at the rump of her horse as it may/may not have been trotting through the edge of a lawn he just mowed. They married when he was 20 and after college in Austin, Texas, (he a double major in petroleum engineering/mathematics from UT, she an RN from the Seton School of Nursing) the Hendersons decided he should join the Army so that they could see the world. On his intake form, when asked about the three places he would most like to visit, Donald wrote, in large letters “ANYWHERE BUT TEXAS”. Of course, his first assignment was…Fort Hood, Texas. Over the next 20 years, the Hendersons did indeed see the world—from Juno, Alaska to Fort Lee, Virginia…Stuttgart, Germany to Fort Knox, Kentucky…Taegu, South Korea to the Pentagon in D.C…the two Texas kids embraced new cultures and made lifelong friends, while working their respective careers, and raising three Army Brats (Jonathan, Michael, Susie). Donald served two tours in Vietnam, and over the course of his career was awarded with the following: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and numerous other Bars and Ribbons. At the 20-year mark, they decided it was time to settle down. In the 1970’s, Donald was sent to Rolla, Missouri, to earn a master’s degree at the School of Mines. Don and Cynthia fell in love with the small Missouri town and its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. So, upon Army retirement, in 1983, Don and Cyn bought a 35-acre farm outside of Rolla, MO. For the next 37 years, they enjoyed life in Rolla. They floated the local rivers and developed their “Gentleman’s Farm” with Cynthia training Event horses and Donald tending chickens, growing way too many fruit trees and vegetables, continually working on a 37-year remodel of the old farmhouse, and building All-Things-Needed-By-Cynthia. During this time, Don worked in the Civil Service for 15 years “doing about the same thing as he did in the Army, but with a different title” while Cynthia moved her way into a supervisory position at the Phelps County Health Department after obtaining her BSN late in life. After they both retired, they focused fully on the “farm life” and also began going on more vacations and cruises. Over their years together, they provided a home for more horses, cats, dogs, kittens and puppies than can possibly be named. When Cynthia passed away in 2019, and Donald suffered his third stroke, he sold their much-loved Cross Creek Farm and moved in with his daughter Susie, her husband Jerry, and their dog Seymour in Lake Sherwood, Missouri, where he spent the next 6+ years advising Susie in the kitchen, fitting puzzles, watching football, feeding bacon to Seymour, tossing out one-liners and sharing memories of Army life and his childhood in central Texas. Don’s passing will create a large void in the lives of his three housemates, and there are many others who will miss him as well, some of whom follow: His sons, Michael Henderson, Jonathan Henderson, Frank Henderson; his granddaughter, Katee Thornton; his sisters Ruthie (Carrie) Boethel, Hazel Anliker; his in-laws Regina Henderson, Deborah Graham, Carol Slocomb; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. In addition to his dear wife, Cynthia, and other family/friends, Donald will be reunited in Heaven with his mother and father, Robert and Theresa Henderson, his younger brother, Roy Henderson and his older sister, Iris Bohr. Per his wishes, no funeral service will be held. Donald’s ashes will be spread as requested, and a Miliary Service will be performed, A Celebration of Life will be planned sometime in the future…most likely in Austin, Texas, where the majority of his relatives now reside.

Donald David Henderson

June 1, 1940 - February 2, 2026

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Donald David Henderson

June 1, 1940 - February 2, 2026

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information