Biography

Elton Marion Henderson was born July 8, 1929 in Healdton, OK to Hurless and Mamie (Thomason) Henderson. Elton went to school in Oklahoma and Alabama, graduating from Oklahoma City Central High School in 1948. He joined the National Guard in 1949 as part of the 45th Infantry and was called to active duty in 1950. Elton received a medical discharge in 1953.
On October 4, 1953, he married the love of his life, Patsy Jean Strohfield, in Oklahoma City. To this union were born two children: Janet Carolyn and Gregory Terrence.
While working at Tinker Air Force Base, Elton attended Oklahoma University and Oklahoma City University, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelors degree in Industrial Arts. He then went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs with the Muskogee roads department until 1966 when he moved on to manage the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation Irrigation System. Elton concluded his B.I.A. career on the Navajo Indian Reservation where he maintained boarding schools.
Elton and his family moved to Pierre in 1973 when he took on a position as the head of maintenance for the Oahe Dam. He held that position until becoming the Oahe Dam project manager in 1989. Elton then served as the project manager for Big Bend from 1990 until his retirement from the federal system in 1991.
Elton enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, gardening, amateur radio and taking care of projects around the house. He was a member of the N.R.A., D.A.V., Amateur Radio Club, Rifle & Pistol Club, Lions Club, S.D. Engineers Society, various national engineering associations and Oahe Presbyterian Church.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Pat; daughter, Janet (William) Cole of Stillwater, OK; son, Gregory (Karen) of Hampton, VA; three grandsons, Kyle, Conner and Nick Henderson, all of Hampton, VA and one niece Sue Marten. Elton was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law.
Elton’s family suggests that memorials be directed to St. Mary’s Foundation at 800 E Dakota Ave, Pierre, SD 57501.

Visitation

Tuesday February 28, 2012, 5:00 - 7:00pm at Feigum Funeral Home
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Prayer Service

Tuesday February 28, 2012, 7:00pm at Feigum Funeral Home
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Funeral Service

Wednesday February 29, 2012, 2:00pm at Maryhouse Chapel
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Interment

Wednesday February 29, 2012 at Riverside Cemetery
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