Chester Henderson

Chester J. Henderson, age 101, of Kerrville TX, passed from this life into God's presence on Monday, May 22, 2023. The family will have a private service and burial.

Chet was born April 27, 1922 to Chester Leon and Vera Ann Henderson (Jones), delivered by a doctor who rode a horse to the family home in Eastland County TX. He graduated from Gorman High School, Gorman TX in 1940, then worked for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica CA before serving in the US Army Air Corps as an aerial gunner during WWII. After the war he attended Texas Christian University, graduating with a BA degree in geology in 1951. He then worked for Continental Oil Company until 1967 in Amarillo TX, Roswell NM, and Abilene TX. Chet was an independent geologist in Abilene from 1967 until retiring in 2014.

Chet, a member of First Methodist Church Abilene TX, enjoyed ranching, bowling, and jigsaw puzzles; in addition to the wide open road and the diverse American landscape, including our western national parks and the Texas Hill Country. He will be remembered as a loving Christian husband, father, and friend; sacrificing, strong in character and integrity, resilient and optimistic, strong in body and mind, surviving 2020 Covid at age 98. His laugh and tuneless humming will be greatly missed.

Chet was preceded in death by his first wife, Peggy Faye Miller, his parents, and his brother, Edward Glenn (E.G.) Henderson. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ann Henderson (Wells) of Kerrville TX; daughters, Linda Hoefer (Barry) of Abilene TX, Patti Tessen (Bob) of Possum Kingdom Lake TX, Amy Collier (J) of Kerrville TX; grandchildren, Lindsay Hoefer and Landon Hoefer; niece Krista Michael and nephew Kelly Henderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Love & Care Ministries (233 Fannin St, Abilene TX 79603), First Methodist Church Missions Fund (202 Butternut St, Abilene TX 79602), or to the donor's favorite charity.