Frederick R. Henderson, 81, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021 in Gilbert, Arizona.
He was born in Buffalo, New York on May 8, 1940 to Fredrick W. and Lillian A. Henderson.
He graduated from Hamburg High School and Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science in Syracuse New York. He served his apprenticeship at Amigone Funeral Homes in Buffalo.
After fulfilling his military obligation to the United States Army, he returned to Amigone and was employed there for ten years.
During that time, he married his high school sweetheart, Judith Koch. They had 2 sons and 1 daughter.
In 1969 the family moved to California where Fred was employed by Riker Labs, a division of 3M. Co. as a pharmaceutical salesman.
In 1971 he returned to funeral service at Melcher’s Mortuary in Mesa, Arizona. He eventually built his own funeral home, Henderson’s Colonial Chapel, now Bunker’s University Chapel.
Fred was employed at various funeral homes during his long career. Including Bunker’s, Mountain View Memorial Gardens, and Queen of Heaven. He retired at age 73.
He was active in the community. He was Past President and Kiwanian of the year of Mesa Kiwanis. In 1982, then Gov. Bruce Babbit appointed Fred to The Board of Funeral Directors for two terms.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; 2 sons, Tim and his wife Liz; Jeff and his wife Marybeth and 1 daughter Amy Henderson; granddaughter, Breanna Voss and her husband, Billy. Grandson, Jackson Dotson Henderson. 3 nephews, Scott (Kim), Christian, Todd (Wende) Henderson. 1 niece, Melinda Barone Weisloe; 3 honorary nieces, Theresa Matubleski, Jennifer Russell and Heather Lauria. Also 2 cousins, Sheri Jo Rogers and her husband Leonard; Marykaye McCann and her husband Mike.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 6, 2021 with visitation at 10:00 a.m. in Bunker’s University Chapel 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, Arizona.
Fred was like a second father to me I loved him dearly and will miss him very much
Judy and Family
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
You and Fred were great help to us when we were in business in Payson.
God Bless
Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
Fred helped me in guiding me in the funeral field so many years ago.
I thank you for that I am sure you helped guide many of us.
You were a blessing to many
We are so sorry to hear this. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all. Thinking of you at this time. He was a great man! Loved him dearly. Love, Dale and Jodi
From the AFCCA, please accept our condolences to The Henderson family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Fred was a big part of my childhood and young adult years. My prayers are with you.
Judy and family, Just heard about Fred and want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you all! What fun our kids had together as neighbors! God bless and comfort each of you at this time.
I really don’t have the words to express how sad I am to hear that Fred has passed. I have for years wanted to get hold of him and see how he was doing. He was a good friend. God bless him and his family.