Roy V. Henderson

Roy Verner “Buster” Henderson was born on April 15, 1940, in Seneca, South Carolina, to Noble and Beatrice Henderson. The nickname “Buster,” given to him as a child, stayed with him throughout his life and remained the name used by many of those closest to him.

After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, Class of 1957, in Seneca, Roy left South Carolina and joined his brother Henry in Baltimore, Maryland. A couple of years later, he made his way across the country to Los Angeles, California, where another of his brothers had recently returned after serving in the Navy.

It was in Los Angeles that Roy met LaVerne through his brother Walter and his wife, Micki, whom LaVerne knew and whose two sons she babysat. Roy and LaVerne married on May 12, 1962, and were married for 64 years.

After their marriage, Roy was drafted into the United States Army and stationed in Washington state. Following his military service, he returned to California, where he and LaVerne started their family.

Roy began his career with General Motors at the South Gate, California plant. Through hard work, discipline, dependability, and a strong work ethic, he worked his way through the ranks. When General Motors prepared to open its Oklahoma City plant, Roy came to Oklahoma ahead of his family to help with the opening. LaVerne and their three daughters joined him in Oklahoma City in 1977.

After nearly 40 years with General Motors, Roy retired in 1999 as a Superintendent. Even after retirement, he remained connected to friendships formed during his GM years and stayed in touch with fellow retirees.

Roy and LaVerne raised three daughters, Karen, Keisha, and Kenya. Long before the phrase became popular, Roy was the ultimate “Girl Dad.” He was present, involved, dependable, and protective without keeping his daughters from becoming their own people. He and LaVerne were a united front in raising them. They made sure their daughters felt secure, while also teaching them to be independent, hardworking, and kind to everyone.

To his daughters, he was simply Daddy.

That name extended to his granddaughter, Tyler, who also called him Daddy. Their relationship was especially close. From watching her before she started daycare, to picking her up from school and attending her athletic events, he was a constant presence in her life. He traveled to volleyball tournaments to support her, and although he was never much of a fan of air travel, he would readily get behind the wheel and drive across the country when family needed him.

That was Roy. He showed his love by being there.

Family was at the center of his life, along with the friendships he maintained throughout the years. His nieces and nephews knew him affectionately as Uncle Buster, and he took tremendous pride in each of them. Roy loved nicknames. Whether he came up with one himself or picked up one someone else had already started using, once Buster called you something, it usually stuck.

Roy enjoyed fishing, golf, tinkering with cars, watching sports, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He believed in taking care of himself and remained committed to his health, going to the gym five days a week. He took pride in his appearance, was always well dressed, and was rarely without the subtle scent of Grey Flannel.

He liked to stay busy and was often ready to get up and go. His family learned early on that it was best to get up, get dressed, and be ready to go, just in case Daddy decided it was time to head somewhere.

Roy had a big personality without being a particularly talkative man. He was straightforward, naturally funny, and never left much doubt about where you stood with him. At the same time, he was warm in the ways that mattered. He had a memorable smile and gave great hugs. There was just something about his presence. You knew he was a good man.

For his daughters and granddaughter, it is difficult to identify one thing that defines what he meant to them. He was present. He was involved. He made them feel safe and secure. He taught them how to stand on their own and how to treat other people the way you want to be treated.

There was not one big thing that made him Daddy. He was the big thing in their lives.

The eagle was a fitting symbol for Daddy. He was strong, independent, steady, and always watching over the people he loved. He gave his family room to find their own way, but they always knew he was there, ready to protect, support, or make the drive when he was needed.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Noble and Beatrice Henderson, and his brothers Walter Thomas Henderson and James Henry Henderson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 64 years, LaVerne Henderson; his three daughters, Karen Henderson, Keisha Henderson, and Kenya Whitaker; his granddaughter, Tyler Henderson; his sister, Mary Beatrice Allen; his brothers, Clarence Edward Henderson and Wesley Morgan Henderson; his nieces and nephews who lovingly knew him as Uncle Buster; along with many extended family members, friends, and former colleagues who loved and respected him.

Those who knew Buster will remember many things about him, but perhaps most of all they will remember his smile, his hugs, his unmistakable presence, his unconditional love of family, and the simple fact that he was a genuinely good man