Hugh T. Henderson's Obituary
Hugh Tarpley Henderson was born on April 3, 1926, in Brooks, Georgia, where his father was the town postmaster. After graduating from Brooks High School, he entered the Army and served in Italy in the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion during World War II. Upon being discharged, Hugh entered Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree in 1951. He began his career in Atlanta and Griffin, Georgia, as a staff engineer at Southern States Company, then moved to Tulsa in 1975 and spent more than 20 years on staff at Electrical Power Systems, Inc. He was a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association. In 1950, Hugh was introduced by mutual friends to Norma Zollars of Harper, Kansas, who had moved to Griffin to work as Director of Christian Education at First Christian Church. He proposed on their fifth date, and they married on May 13, 1951. A devoted couple, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2016 and enjoyed traveling and spending time with their sons Hugh and Ken Henderson, daughter Gaye Henderson, and their families. Hugh served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher at First Christian Church of Tulsa and was for many years a faithful volunteer docent at Tulsa Zoo and Oklahoma Aquarium. In addition to his loving wife and children, Hugh is survived by daughters-in-law Julie and Kathy Henderson, son-in-law Jim Dugan; grandchildren Collins Henderson Brown (Brad), Christine Henderson Brodnan (Matt), Keith Henderson (Kristen), and Jack Henderson (Blythe); and greatgrandson Jack Brodnan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hugh Henderson Education Fund at Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E. 36th Street N, Tulsa, OK 74115, or to the First Christian Church of Tulsa for the Homebuilders Scholarship Fund, 913 S. Boulder Ave., Tulsa OK 74119.
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