Obituary: Henson, Thomas Smith
Tom was raised in Corbin, Kentucky, living there until 1950 when he began a 32 year military career, first in the Air Force and then in the Army.
During his military career, Tom served in many locations including Greenland, Heidelburg, Germany; Boise, Idaho; Vietnam; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and ultimately, Cheney, Washington.
Tom retired from the Army in 1982.
Following his military service, Tom worked in the ROTC office at Eastern Washington University and with the Washington Border Patrol.
During this time, he returned to school at Eastern Washington University, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Among the joys in Tom’s life were his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Another of Tom’s loves was his association with the Masons, Amaranth, and Eastern Star.
Tom dedicated over 45 years of service as a Mason, holding numerous positions of honor right up until the end of his life.
Tom was preceded in death by his son, Roy Edward Henson; wife, Kay Henson; wife, Jane Henson; brothers, Harry, Alec, Jim, Bill, and Lake Henson; and sisters, Oma Wetzel and Elon Gumm, and grandson Benjamin Henson.
Tom is survived by sons, Paul Henson and his wife Patsy; Thomas Henson and his wife JoAnn; Mark Henson and his wife Carla; daughters Kristina Hardie and her husband Larry; Dana Logue; Darcie Smiley and her husband Justin; Melissa Sampson and her husband Jame; sister-in-law, Edna Henson; grandchildren, Myranda Dixon, Tyler Henson, Dustin and Tommy Henson, DeAnna Cornett, Dakota, and Makade Henson, Brandon Hardie, Degan and Jacquelyn Kay Sampson, Couper Balzert, Corbin Smiley; great-grandchildren Sydney and Taylor Dixon, Bailey Cornett, Anabelle Hanson; and several dear nieces and nephews.
Tom had many good friends and neighbors in the local community, gave freely to numerous charitable organizations, supported others through his sacrifice of time and/or money, and showed great pride for and love of his family.
Even in his waning health, Tom continued to give every ounce of strength he could muster toward service to others.
Tom will be greatly missed, not only by his family, but also by the numerous individuals and groups with whom he was associated.
A memorial service honoring Tom’s life will be held on Friday, January 11th at 11:00A.M.
at the Cheney Funeral Chapel with a reception following at the Cheney United Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association, the Heart Institute at Sacred Heart, or the Spokane Cancer Patient Care Center would be welcomed.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 11, at CHENEY FUNERAL CHAPEL.
Online guest book at cheneyfuneral.com.