Porter Loring Mortuary
Charles Henson, 85, of Wimberley, Texas, passed away on January 20, 2024. Charlie was born in 1938 in Meridian, Mississippi, to Charles B. Henson and Emma F. (Massengale) Henson. Charlie graduated from Meridian High School in 1956. Soon after graduating from high school, Charlie enlisted as a private first class in the Reserve of the 100th Infantry Company of the United States Marine Corps until his honorable discharge in August of 1964. Charlie was extremely proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps and considered it one of his greatest honors. He cherished the camaraderie among his fellow marines and the time-honored traditions embodied in the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. He would choke up with pride as he proclaimed with boldness the rally cry, "Semper Fi."
Charlie attended the University of Mississippi until his graduation in January of 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He enjoyed Greek life as a fraternal member of Kappa Sigma which he claimed had a campus reputation for the best parties. His early life experience would prove to be the fertile ground upon which he cultivated his future success as one of the greatest story tellers and salesman west of the Mississippi. Charlie had a reputation for being larger than life and was always the life of the party. You could hear him before you could see him, and his dance moves were entertaining to all especially the "sprinkler" and the jitterbug.
He moved to Houston, Texas, where he met Nancy. They were married in 1965 and moved to McAllen, Texas, where they raised four (4) children. He worked as a pharmaceutical representative for Parke-Davis and then Pfizer for almost forty (40) years until his retirement in 2003. He earned national recognition as Salesman of the Year for the Dallas region four times in his career as well as many other product performance awards throughout the years. Upon retirement, he was selected to be an honored Pfizer Ambassador for five (5) years.
Charlie was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church in McAllen, Texas, where he had many friends and served in multiple leadership roles. He loved sports, gardening, and camping with family and friends. In his free time, he devoted his talent, energy, and heart to coaching youth league football and baseball for almost fifteen (15) years. Coaching was one of his noteworthy gifts, which brought him the greatest joy and fulfillment. In 2008, Charlie and Nancy moved to Wimberley, Texas, where they had built a new home and started a new chapter in their life. Charlie loved spending time with family and friends, and he knew no stranger. He was a sensitive and thoughtful man who would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. He lived to entertain with funny stories, mostly clean jokes, and witty comebacks. His renowned BBQs and shrimp boils, his affinity for food, his epic storytelling, and his whistle heard round the world are just a few of his legendary call signs.
He is preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister, Betty Kay Lindley. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy L. (Cromack) Henson, and their four (4) children: Christopher Henson (Fernando), Holly Fox (John), Brayton Henson (Mamie), and Jessica Miller (Scott); his grandchildren, Hayden, Elizabeth, Ava, Annabelle, Emma, and Brinkley; his nieces and nephews: Michael Craven, Mark Craven, Jay Lindley, Steven Lindley, Kerry Dinges, Laurel Crawford, Lisa Hansen, David Cromack, and Ashley McClellan. He is affectionately known as "Happy" by his grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on February 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 6000 FM 3237, Wimberley, Texas, with a reception to follow at the church parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations in his honor to the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen or St. Stephen's Camp Scholarship Fund. Other than the two (2) memorial offerings referenced and linked above, we have neither authorized nor established any "crowdfunding" type accounts.
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