Charles "Chuck" Edward Henderson

Charles "Chuck" Edward Henderson, age 73, of Lake Charles, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, surrounded by family after battling a long illness.

He was born on February 3, 1944 in Houston and raised in Kinder, LA. He graduated from Kinder High School in 1962 and served 2 years in the U.S. Navy where he developed a love for travel. He worked 25 years for Shell Oil Company, starting in the swamps of south Louisiana as a roustabout and retiring from the purchasing department in New Orleans. After 7 years of night school, he graduated from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in 1983.

Chuck lived in Mandeville, LA for 24 years. It was important to him to never miss his daughters' golf or tennis tournaments, or any soccer, softball or basketball games. "Isn't that the point of having kids?" he would often ask. After he retired from Shell, he became a real estate appraiser and loved his second career. He was a member of St Timothy's United Methodist Church and attended the early service every Sunday unless it conflicted with a tee time at Beau Chene Country Club or if the British Open was on T.V.

In 2008, he was reunited (literally), with Paula (Reynolds) Adams, his childhood sweetheart, at their 45th high school reunion. They were soon married and Chuck promptly retired and moved to Lake Charles, where Paula's family welcomed him with open hearts. He and Paula then began a new chapter, one filled with trips to Europe, road trips west to visit his daughters and national parks, Tuesdays and Thursdays volunteering at the Oak Park Food Pantry, and Sundays at First Presbyterian Church. Chuck especially enjoyed getting together with his little brothers and sisters-in-law for dinners that typically included spirited political discussions and brotherly quarrels over who paid the bill.

Chuck adored this newfound patriarchal role of his "blended" family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Paula; daughters Lesley Henderson and wife Nichole Whisman of Reno, NV, Jennifer and husband Robert Jencks of Lafayette, CO and their mother Lela Henderson of DeRidder, LA; stepchildren John and wife Alice Adams of Lake Charles, LA, and their children Claire, Sarah, and Paul; Ginger and husband Jeremy Ashcraft of Austin, TX and soon-to-arrive twins Eloise and Evia; Jill and husband Peter Enersen of New Orleans, LA; brothers Earl (Butch) and wife Linda Henderson of Many, LA; Donald (Spike) and wife Freida Henderson of Snyder, TX; aunt Betty (Pinkie) Shafer of Vidor, TX; aunt Ramona of Springdale, AK; and many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved.

He is preceded in death by his parents C.D. and Earline (Landgrebe) Henderson and stepfather, Herman Mason.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care and Memorial Hospital of Lake Charles, who provided excellent care to Chuck and comfort to his family.

The family would like to invite friends and family to gather for a visitation to remember Chuck on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 5-8pm at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles and on Thursday, Feb 23 at 1:30pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2:30pm at the funeral home. A graveside service will take place on Friday, Feb 24 at 12:30pm at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.

Chuck was a wonderful husband, father, stepfather and grandfather, brother, and friend. We would all like to raise a glass of cold chardonnay in his honor. He will be greatly missed. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.