James Henson

Jim Henson, 80, passed away September 19, 2013. He was a loving husband and father and grandfather for 57 years. Jim was born Jan. 26, 1933, in Ottumwa, Iowa. At age 18 he joined the United States Air Force where he met the love of his life Janet. They married on Sept. 16, 1956, and raised two children and then 5 grandchildren. Jim spent 20 years in the Air Force traveling around the world. After he retired from the service he went to work for GTE (later becoming Verizon) for the next 20 years. In 1986 Jim and Janet came to Burnet to be close to their daughter and grandchildren. They have lived in Burnet since his retirement from Verizon at age 58.

Jim was a Mason and an active Ben Hur Shrine in Austin and the Highland Lakes Shrine Club. He enjoyed driving his model T car in parades and working with the Shriners to raise money for the Shriner’s Children Hospital. He enjoyed raising his black angus cattle. He loved to see the new calves and he kept a close eye on each head of cattle to make sure they were all doing well.

Jim is survived by his wife Janet Henson, and daughter Denise Mays and husband Larry , both of Burnet and son James W. Henson of Ohio, brother Donald Henson and nephews Mark and Mike Henson all of Ottumwa. Jim’s surviving grandchildren are Elizabeth Mays of Houston and Matthew Mays and Kevin Mays of Burnet and J.D. Henson and Janet Henson of Ohio.

Jim will be laid to rest with military honors in a private family ceremony at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

Arrangements made by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home Burnet, Texas.