H. B. "Buzz" Henderson

Harry B. "Buzz" Henderson, 85, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2011 in the presence of loved ones at Riverside Hospital, Newport News, VA, after a long battle with multiple health issues including cancer. Buzz was born on a sugar plantation in Pahala, Territory of Hawaii, on December 26, 1925 after his parents moved there from Ft. Morgan, Colorado to manage sugar cane operations. The sugar business took his father to Selby, England where he started grade school. Hop scotching the Atlantic, Buzz finished High School in Hardin, Montana where he was class president. He and a number of classmates missed graduation to join the armed services and fight in World War II. Buzz became a Naval Aviator and served in the Pacific Theatre flying Hellcats and Bearcats off the U.S.S. Shangri-La. After the war he attended the University of Southern California where he graduated with honors and served as president of his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta. Immediately after graduation in 1950, his Naval Reserve Squadron was called to active duty to serve in the Korean War. Flying off the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, 3-Air Combat Medals, and a Commendation Medal with Combat “V”. After his distinguished Naval service, he Joined Convair, a division of General Dynamics, as the assistant chief test pilot for the beautiful delta wing F-102 and F-106 built in San Diego, CA. A few years later he moved to Washington, D.C. as corporate manager of Aeronautical Systems for General Dynamics. In the late 60’s, Buzz came to the Tidewater area to run the Langley Field Office and support the military and NASA operations on behalf of General Dynamics. He was with GD for 37-years and retired in 1992. In addition to his defense contract work, Buzz served on the Executive Council of the Hampton Roads Boy Scout Chapter. He was a member of the Eagle Board of Review and chairman of the Scout-O-Rama for 5-years. In recognition, Buzz was awarded the Scout’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver. Buzz was also active with Air Force Assoc. and served as the President of the San Diego, CA Chapter among other posts for many years. The AFA awarded Buzz with the Jimmy Doolittle Award for outstand service. Buzz and his wife Geri, a native of Newport News, returned from California in 2005 to the open arms of Geri’s family and friends.

Sadly, Buzz was preceded in death by his step-daughter Diane, a few years ago and his wife Geri last year.

He is survived by his son Scott, daughter, Kary Kay and stepdaughters, Jessica, Cathy, Mattie Ann, Frances and Teresa; eleven grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Thank you to everyone who visited with dad, held his hand, sat by his side, gave him a call or sent him a note. He really loved hearing from his family and friends. He felt he was blessed with a very full and rich life.

The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 17 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, followed by a celebration of his life at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Hampton-Veterans Memorial Gardens.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666.