Walter H. Henderson

by his side. He was 81 years old. He was born to Lonnie (Bill) and Laura Henderson in Grapevine, Texas. His parents, brother, James and his sister, Darlene preceded him in death. His oldest sister Dorthy McCarthy, Waurika, OK and Veryl Henderson, Aurora, Co survive him. He is also survived by his wife Janice, daughters Pamela(Chris) Payton, Albuquerque. NM, Sherry (Aron) Schatz of Atlanta, GA. Grandchildren are Tyson Payton, Derek Payton, Albuquerque NM, Megan (Brandon) Sykes, Berthoud CO. Additional grandsons, Izaac (Megan) Schatz, Jack (great grandson) Canton, GA. Noah and Tyler Schatz, Atlanta, GA.

When Walter was 3 years old his family moved to Grand Junction, CO where he lived for the rest of his life except when he was stationed in Albuquerque, NM for 4 years. He graduated from Central HS in 1957, he also attended Mesa Jr College for one year, but his love of working on Diesel engines became his livelihood until he was drafted and chose the Air Force. While he was stationed in Albuquerque he met his future wife, Janice Chandler at a Baptist Church, They became engaged in six weeks, married the following year on July 4th 1964. He was discharged from the Air Force, January 1966 then returned to Grand Junction to work at Schooley Diesel Co. In 1971 he started working at Cummins Rocky Mt. here in GJ. He retired from there in 2005 having worked for Cummins Rocky MT for 34 years. During those years he became a shop foreman then moved into Territory Manager of the big Cummins engines. He worked closely with Poma Ski selling them diesel engines as back up for the ski lifts. He would oversee the installations of the engines and at times was flown to Canada and Reno to help with the installations. He had the unique ability to listen to an engine and know what was wrong with it.

He became a Christian in his youth which influenced his whole life. He was an ordained deacon, always active in church. He was a great family man and loved his wife and daughters and later grandchildren immensely. Woodworking, gardening, deer/elk hunting was enjoyed by him. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in his early sixties, which did not become a problem til his later seventies.

We give thanks for his life and will miss him forever. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to joke at times. Everyone is welcome to come to his memorial service this Friday at 2:00, Redlands Community Church. A private burial will take place in Memorial Gardens, Grand Junction. In lieu of flowers give donations to Hope West, of Grand Junction or Redlands Community Church 2327 Broadway, Grand Junction, CO. Callahan-Edfast have taken care of him.