Paul Robert Henderson's Obituary
Paul Robert Henderson, 84, passed away on August 2, 2023 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born on September 5, 1938 in Broken Arrow, Ok, to Edgar and Myrtle (Davis) Henderson.
Paul was a gifted scholar and athlete at Tulsa Central High School lettering in football, baseball, track and wrestling where he was known as “Red Dog”. He chose a football scholarship at the University of Arkansas over numerous athletic and academic offers. Known as “Red”, he graduated from UofA where he lettered in 1958, 1959 and 1960 as Southwest Conference champions in ’59 and ’60. He later got his MBA at UT-Dallas (but always made it very clear that it was in no way related to the UT in Austin, which he greatly despised, but not as much as Ole Miss). Paul proudly served in the U.S. Army (1961-1969) in Vietnam and Korea as a helicopter pilot. After 8 years in the Army, he left as a Major and embarked on 35+ year career in computers, working in Little Rock, Fort Smith and Dallas for IBM, Honeywell, Sperry Univac, Unisys, Wang, Digital and Compaq/HP. When Paul went from the Army to IBM, he always said “He just changed uniforms.”
Paul rarely met a stranger. He had a boisterous laugh and a sense of humor. He was also a great story teller. He was very proud of his daughters’ academic and professional achievements.
Paul and Susan helped to transition the Greater Dallas Razorback Club in the 1990s as Arkansas moved to the SEC. They relocated to Fayetteville in 2008 so they could focus on their passion of attending Razorback sporting events. Paul truly loved being a Razorback.
Paul is survived by his wife Susan Shuman Henderson of 61 years, and two daughters, Tracy Henderson of Austin, TX and Tori Henderson Lambert and her husband, Wilson, of Philadelphia, PA; one grandson, Austin Lambert of State College, PA., two sisters-in law, a brother-in law, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Dorothy Henderson Gilbreath, Evelyn Henderson Sullivan, Edgar Jr. Henderson, Patricia Henderson Wilkerson and Richard (Babe) Henderson and pets; Thumper, Sambo, Tuffy, Mac, Fluffy, Argent, Champ, Beau and Buttons.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. The Henderson family appreciate the staff, doctors and nurses of Highlands Oncology, the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, Willard Walker Hospice Home, and Pinnacle In-Home Care.
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