Joseph H. Henderson Jr.

Joseph Hugh Henderson, Jr. Joseph Hugh Henderson, Jr., 89, resident of the St. Margarets area of Annapolis, died Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Born July 13, 1925, in Derry, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Joseph H. Henderson, Sr. and the late Mary Helen Hess Henderson of Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Henderson graduated from Mechanicsburg (PA) High School. During the summer, he worked on a watercress farm outside of Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943. He was an Aviation Cadet in the 2538th AAF Base unit, entering active duty in January, 1944 and serving until he was honorably discharged in September, 1945. The following year, he married Helene V. Lawhorn of Nashville, Tennessee and they moved to Syracuse, New York so he could enroll in the School of Forestry at Syracuse University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management in 1951. After receiving his forestry degree, Mr. Henderson was hired by the State of Maryland. He enjoyed a long career with the Maryland State Department of Natural Resources, serving in various positions with Forest and Parks throughout his 34 years of service. One of his most memorable positions was serving as the first Superintendent of Sandy Point State Park. Mr. Henderson was an active member of the Calvary United Methodist Church for over 40 years, serving as an usher for the majority of that time. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge #622 for 33 years and the Custom Rod Builders Guild. He loved spending time with his family, the outdoors and his hobbies; hunting, fishing, gardening, building fly rods and watching the growth of his pine plantation. He is survived by his daughter, Linda C. Knudson of Annapolis; son, J. Craig Henderson and his wife, Rebecca of Faulkner, Maryland; grandsons Joseph D. Knudson and his wife, Katanyu, of Alexandria, Virginia and J. Robert Knudson of Lorton, Virginia; granddaughter Virginia C. Knudson of Annapolis; great-granddaughter Bianca G. Knudson-Payne of Annapolis; brother, John A. Henderson and his wife, Marianne of Duncannon, Pennsylvania; and longtime dear friend, Karlene T. Henry of Charlotte, North Carolina. He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Helene V. Lawhorn Henderson and his son-in-law, John D. Knudson. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis, Maryland. Interment will be at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, May 28 at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, Maryland.