Harvey J. "Mert" Henderson Sr.

The Lord called Harvey Joyce “Mert” Henderson, Sr., home on September 10, 2011, in Austin; he was 85 years old. Mert was born on January 27, 1926, to Harvey Lee and Eddie Estelle Henderson. He married Charlye Ruth Marshall of Bay City in 1947, and they were married for 64 beautiful years.

Mert served in the American Merchant Marines during World War II. After working for Phillips Petroleum in the Bay City area, he partnered with his father and operated Travis Motor Exchange in Austin for over 35 years.

Mert had a passion for the outdoors and loved hunting and fishing. He had an unwavering commitment to the Lord and touched many souls over the years through his involvement with the church and the Boy Scouts of America. Mert was the beloved foundation of his family, and nothing brought him more happiness than spending time with them.

He is survived by his wife, Charlye Ruth; his daughter, Marsha Prather; his son, Jay Henderson and wife, Rhonda; his five grandchildren, Michael Prather and wife, Tammy, Matthew Prather and wife, Erika, Jenny Carpenter and husband, Cody, Jill Maxfield and husband, David, and Jana Smith and husband, Kevin; and 12 great grandchildren, Jacob, Colin, Kyle, Jarred, Miranda, Nicolas, Corie, Marissa, Sadie, Katelyn, Lincoln and Madigan. Mert also leaves behind his sister, Rosa Lee Smith, and her family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Eddie Estelle Henderson; his father, Harvey Lee Henderson; and his step-mother, Mabel Henderson.

All of those who were touched by Mert’s life are blessed that he was ours for a brief while and Heaven’s for all of eternity.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Tuesday, the 13th of September 2011, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

Funeral services will be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 14th of September 2011, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com .