Richard Earl Henderson was born February 8th 1954 in White Salmon, WA to Archie and Mabel Henderson. He passed August 17th at his home surrounded by family.
Dick grew up in White Salmon, graduating from Columbia High in 1972. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his youth and was especially fond of the Laurel area. He worked in the grocery business, eventually becoming an electrician’s apprentice for fifteen years. His career ended as night watchman for SDS Lumber when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was a fighter and battled for 4.5 years. He enjoyed long drives, cutting firewood, hours of mowing his lawn, taking his grandchildren on special trips, and picnics. He was very personable and everyone who met him loved him and his humor.
He and his wife Rita knew each other for years before they started dating. They realized they were soul mates and got married 7 months later in 1995. He made very sure to have everything prepared for her once he passed, organizing and labeling things, collecting wood and fixing things around the house. She was the love of his life and he cared for her deeply. They made a pact that they were “in love forever, plus a long weekend”.
Each had a daughter from previous marriages, Kelly and Alicia. Dick enjoyed going on trips, gardening, camping, and bringing daughter Kelly to work with him when she was younger. They spent much time with Dick’s mother, sister Wanda's family, his aunts and cousins. He enjoyed playing practical jokes on Alicia, such as taping her entire door shut and declaring it a ‘quarantine zone’ when her goldfish died. When she was older, he enjoyed going fishing, trap shooting and going out to eat together.
Dick had three grand-daughters, whom he adored. He loved having Jenna May “babysit” him after he had a bad car accident and his cancer diagnosis. They had many adventures and he fondly referred to her as the bottomless pit for her eating habits. Mostly, they enjoyed picking on Grammy together and had many laughs. He loved teaching Emery to cast her fishing pole in the yard and creating menus together for their picnics. He loved watching June ride her tricycle in circles on the porch and saying how smart and funny she was. He loved sharing pictures and videos of the girls, they were his happy.
Dick also loved his “favorite nephew” Jennie and niece Katie. All holidays were spent with them, sister Wanda and brother-in-law Jim. He is survived by his Wife Rita, Daughter Kelly & husband Joshua Simonson (Amity, OR), Daughter Alicia and husband Derek (Snowden, WA) Grand-Daughters Jenna May Eccles and Emery and Juniper Simonson, Sister Wanda, brother-in-law Jim and nieces Jennie (Husum, WA) and Katie (Truckee, CA) Mansfield. He is preceded in death by parents Archie Henderson, Mabel Henderson and daughter Lacey.
The family is honoring his wish to not have a service. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.