Lawrence Ray Henderson
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CHARLOTTE - Lawrence Ray Henderson "Coach", 78, of Charlotte, passed away at his home on February 6, 2021. He was born on June 15, 1942 in Hendersonville, NC, just months before his father William Lawrence Henderson departed for WWII. His mother, Mary Cleveland Henderson, moved with him to Atlanta where they lived until his father returned when he was three. The only child of an Exxon tanker driver and a bank teller, he learned about work ethic and commitment. At a young age, Larry developed a love for the peaceful pastime of fishing. A multi-sport athlete and trombone player in the All-State Band (the latter of which had to be dropped because it was interfering with his football), he spent the summers working at his family's Henderson County apple orchard before he departed for Raleigh and his beloved NC State. A pledge of the Pershing Rifle National Military Society, he studied forestry and wildlife management, graduated with a teaching degree and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, and embarked on his life-long journey of teaching and coaching.
In 1965, he moved to Charlotte to take his first teaching job as one of the first white teachers at segregated Second Ward High School. That fall, he attended a church singles outing at Park Lanes Bowling Alley where he met his future bride, Jo Ann Oetzman. Immediately smitten, he drove her home that night and a few months later, they were engaged. They married on August 14, 1966, beginning their 54-year dedication to each other. A week later, Larry started teaching science at his new home away from home, Albemarle Road Junior High, where he remained for the balance of his 30-year career. Never one to be idle, he spent a summer fighting forest fires in the Klamath National Forest in California, another learning and conducting research at Texas A&M, and many others taking groups of students on trips to Canada and the western United States. He would return to his family with a full beard and tales of his adventures, with photographs usually taken out the window while driving and framed with a small portable fan and sideview mirror in the bottom corner. At ARJH, he coached football, baseball, and girls' basketball; and served as Athletic Director. Scarcely a night went by where he wasn't grading papers or typing on purple duplicate paper preparing a test to be run on the mimeograph machine. He would arrive before sunrise to manicure his ballfields and would stay late to let the youth leagues play ball in the gym. Despite a bit of healthy fear as middle schoolers, his students reciprocated his love, evidenced later in life with the excitement and mutual admiration that came from their chance encounters.
The center of his world was his family. In addition to all his responsibilities, he was at every game his children played, unless he was coaching one himself. He treasured sharing his love of fishing with his children. Nothing made him prouder than watching his son reel in a fish from their boat in the middle of Waverly Pond (which he personally restocked regularly) or posing for a picture with his daughter holding up a largemouth bass so that everyone in the tackle shop could see. He shared his secret fishing holes on Badin, Tuckertown and Tillery Lakes with his son, along with the art of hosting his signature fish fry to exacting specifics. In later years, seeing these traditions continued provided Larry with tremendous joy.
At the age of 55, with a treasured lifetime and career of teaching behind him, he retired with plans to fish, assist with his son's landscaping company and continue as Athletic Director at his favorite school. But a mere six weeks later, a massive hemorrhagic stroke changed his world. Always a big talker, when aphasia took his voice, he refused to stop communicating. Whether through a kind smile, sound effects and his very own personal version of sign language, he continued to connect, inspire and endear those around him. Paralyzed on his right side, he fought back to walk his daughter down the aisle nine months later and to continue fishing with his son. He and Jo Ann bought a little house on Badin Lake where he spent his days fishing on the dock and amazing bystanders with his ability to thread a hook with one hand. He walked delicately with his cane through the crowds at NC State football games and no matter the outcome, he was never critical of the boys in red and white. Although years followed with more adversity in the form of cancer, heart bypass surgery and complications, he found a way to learn how to walk all over again four separate times. He never quit lifting his thumb in the air with a big half smile, charming every waitress, nurse or stranger he met.
He deeply loved and inspired many, especially his grandchildren. He looked forward to the annual beach trips, playing mancala and checkers and curling them up close to him with his strong left arm. "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." Coach Henderson was an unrelenting example of the best of the human spirit. We are all better by experiencing his smile, his selflessness and ultimately, his simple gift of love.
Adored by his church family, fellow ARJH teachers and coaches, and Badin Lake Resort neighbors, he was blessed with a network of support and friendship. A former student, Dr. Dimitrios (Takie) Hondros provided skilled care and was an adored and trusted advisor. Larry's final months were made better by the joy and laughter from his angels, Dianne, Sharipha and Shay coupled with the supportive hand of Hospice of Charlotte.
Larry is survived by his loving wife, Jo Ann, whose dedication was beyond measure and enabling him to thrive and enjoy their life together, his daughter Amy Henderson Fullbright and husband Kent of Raleigh, and his son David Lawrence Henderson and wife Ashley of Charlotte. He was a beloved Granddaddy to Charlotte Byrd Fullbright and Henry Lawrence Fullbright.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Triangle Aphasia Project, 171 High House Road, Suite 11, Cary, NC 27511 or the NC Wildlife Endowment Fund, 1702 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1702. Graveside services were held at 3:00pm on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Sunset Memory Gardens.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.