Dr. Henry Glen Henderson

Henry Glen Henderson, M.D., 91, of San Angelo, laid down his tools and left his earthly duties to be with his wife of 58 years, Carrie Ellen, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2021. He was born on June 14, 1929 (Flag Day) to Madison Henry Henderson and Lucile Estes Henderson in the small farming community of Vernon, Texas. There he learned the importance of family, friendship, farming, life, and his devotion to God.

He was best known and loved as a husband, father, grandfather, problem solver, master inquisitor and listener, leader of undesirable tasks, and steadfast friend. He was a skilled surgeon, craftsman, carpenter, landscaper, fence builder, mender of sorts, and tinkerer. He also held resolute to being candid, practical, responsible, honest, faithful, independent, and above all, caring and humble. To quote a lifelong friend, “He was the sweetest surgeon we ever had.”

Growing up, Glen resided within the walls of the family business, the Henderson Funeral Home. He attended Vernon High School, graduated in 1946, and earned one of his proudest accomplishments, Eagle Scout. After High School, he graduated from Baylor University, followed by Medical School at Tulane University in New Orleans. Subsequently, he served as captain in the United States Air Force, and upon his return, completed his orthopedics residency at UT Southwestern/Parkland and Scottish Rite hospitals in Dallas, Texas. It was there he met and fell in love with Carrie Ellen Crowder from Charleston, West Virginia. They were married in Dallas on May 29, 1961 and soon moved to the West Texas town of San Angelo, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were immediately embraced by the community and blessed with everlasting friendships--people we still consider as family.

Glen proudly practiced Orthopedics at Shannon West Texas Memorial Hospital and Angelo Clinic (later to become Shannon Clinic) for over 50 years before retiring. He was respected throughout the region for his service and relentless desire to help people. He was regularly approached by patients at restaurants or stores who went out of their way to extend their appreciation and respect, not because they felt obligated, but because they wanted to. The family was at the core of his fabric, and while he might have been at the hospital each day at 6am, supper was at 7pm, and you better not be late for prayer.

He was a member of and served as Deacon of First Presbyterian Church, where his seat was always “reserved.” Those closest to him knew that if he was not at the clinic or hospital, you could find him on the tractor, working in the yard, or in his workshop. He truly believed to best serve God, a person should keep life simple, work hard, and be kind and respectful. He lived and practiced those values until the last days of his life.

He is preceded in death by his wife Carrie Ellen, his parents Henry and Lucile of Vernon, Texas, and his sister Vicki Tankersley of Mertzon, Texas. He is survived by his son Madison Henry Henderson, II and wife Tessa, of Houston, Texas; son Bradley Henderson, Ph.D., of Los Alamos, New Mexico; daughter Ashley Henderson, M.D. and husband Raymond Pickles, Ph.D., of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Madison and Caroline Henderson, Eleanor and Violet Henderson, and Caian, Nathaniel, and Wilson Pickles.

There will be a private family burial later this week and a memorial service in April of this year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of San Angelo.

The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the staff of Visiting Angels, Meals for the Elderly, and Lolly in caring for our Dad with the utmost attention and respect. We would also like to extend our love and appreciation to the Vista Del Arroyo neighbors, whom we still consider an extension of our family. Last, we would like to give a special thanks and our love to Joy and Bill Morehead, and our cousins Scott and Natalie Tankersley, whom we have counted on unconditionally throughout the last several years.

We miss you Dad.