Luther Gene Henson

Luther Gene Henson was born on July 31st, 1950 to Jim and Lucille (Phillips) Henson in Tahlequah, OK. He passed away to his eternal home, peacefully at the age of 71 years, 3 months and 23 days. Luther grew up in the Lost City Community in a household of four brothers and two sisters. He attended Hinton Elementary School and later graduated from Hulbert High School in 1968. After graduation, he attended Okmulgee Tech, where he obtained his engineering degree in 1972. He was an iron worker by trade, joining the Iron Worker Local Post 584 in 1974. He held jobs for Helmerich and Payne, Utica Square and even had his hands in helping to build the Clear Creek Monastery, just to name a few. On November 2nd, 1974, Luther was baptized into the Christian faith, and became a member of Keener Baptist Church. He currently attended church at Swimmer Baptist Church where he enjoyed the fellowship in the Lord. On October 19th, 1980, he married Phillis Farmer. Luther stood faithful and loyal to Phyllis, giving her the best care he possibly could until her passing in 1997. In 1999, Doris and her kids entered Luther’s Life. Being a caring and compassionate man he took them in as his own. Together Luther and Doris grew into a big family of love and laughter. He watched the kids grow and soon there were grandkids that truly stole his heart, one grandson touched his heart immediately, Donshay. It was obvious that he was the best papa around. He made sure that he and Doris attended every game, and there were a countless number of them. Papa and Nana were their biggest fans and supporters, and proud of every one of their accomplishments. Like clockwork everyday around 3:15, he could be found in town gathering one of the grandkids their after school snack, he never missed out on a chance to spoil any of them. The love for Doris, kids and grandkids even great grandkids was genuine and unconditional. When Luther had free time you could often find him in his younger brother’s back yard helping Don fix whatever he tore up, or at Keener Cemetery doing some upkeep on the grounds. He was a loyal and faithful member of the cemetery committee. During football season he could be found in his chair cheering on his beloved Oklahoma Sooners. Luther loved to laugh and joke, he was a humorous and quick witted man. Only a select few were able to get one over on him. At all the family gatherings he was continuously looking for a chance to laugh and cut up in any conversation. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of his loved ones that cannot be filled.

Luther is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Phyllis, three brothers, Paul, Watie, and Roy Henson, one sister, Loretta, one nephew, Tommy “Rooster” Henson, a sister-in-law, Lucille Henson, a special nephew, Fred Griffin, and one brother-in-law, Steve Whitekiller.

He leaves behind a loving family, companion, Doris Beaver of the home, children, Jamie Dick and husband Alden, Cleo Gomez, Robert “Toy” Studie and wife Krystal, all of Tahlequah, two brothers, Ed Henson and wife Margaret of Coweta and Don Henson of Lost City, two sisters, Leda Whitekiller, and Hudy Jones and husband Larry, both of Lost City and two sisters-in-law, Deloris Henson of Tahlequah and Mary Ellen Henson of Hulbert. He also leaves his grandchildren, Donshay, Calesa, Talyn, Tyren, Jevan and Ryder, great grandchildren, Kanyn, Asher, and Ella. His legacy lives on through his many nieces and nephews who looked up to their uncle with great respect as well as a host of extended family and friends. Until we meet again, his entire family will miss him dearly.

Funeral services for Luther Gene Henson will be held on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 at Elm Tree Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Carey officiating, obituary reading by Pastor Sam Keener. Luther will be laid to rest at Keener Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Donshay McCoy, Robert Studie, Alden Dick, Jose Gomez, Cole Whitekiller, and Derek Jones. Honorary pallbearers include Ed Henson, Don Henson, Larry Jones, Roger Farmer, Lonnie McClure, Jason Henson, Watie Gene Henson, and Matthew Whitekiller.

A visitation for the family will be held on Monday, December 6th, 2021 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com