James Earl Henderson

Jim was born on September 7, 1937, in Ware Shoals, South Carolina, to Joseph Otto Henderson and Willie Ann Qualls.

He was a member of Still Water Christian Life Center in Haines City. He was also a proud member of the Free Masons and the Scottish Rite. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and cheering on the Florida Gator football.

Jim proudly served in the United States Air Force as loadmaster on C-130 and C-141 aircraft. Following his military service, he worked as a butcher for Winn Dixie; then transitioned into the HVAC industry, ultimately retiring as a Supervisor with Polk County Facilities Management. He also ran his own business, Jim’s Kool Air & Heating.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Henderson; his children, Joe (Carol) Henderson and Kristi (Andy) Andrews; his siblings, Gerald (Denise) Henderson, Mark Henderson, and Dink (Robbie) Henderson; and his cherished grandchildren, Courtney (Zahid) Hussain, Michael Vandiver, Josh (Jini) Glaros, Collin Henderson, Kelsi Barron, and Justin Andrews. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Otto Henderson and Willie Ann Qualls, four siblings, and his daughter, Terri Vandiver.

A visitation for James will be held on Thursday, March 19th from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, 2198 K-Ville Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823 with a funeral service to follow at 11:30 PM. He will be laid to rest at Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens.