Donald L. Henson

Donald “Don” Henson, 87, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Nov. 28, 2023 from pneumonia and a 20-plus year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, surrounded by his family.

Don was a caring and loving soul and will be missed and remembered by the many lives he touched.

Don is survived and missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Marilyn; his children, Doug (Jackie) Henson of Decatur, Texas, and Mark (Eve) Henson of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren Amy (Blake) James, Nicolle (Emery) Floyd, Samantha (Ricky) Hoelscher, Victoria (Jack) Barnett, Laura Delaney and Marissa Henson; sister Eileen Carter and brother Bill Henson; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

His memory lives on with his 10 great-grandchildren, Skylar, Sloanne, Waylon, Bailee, Maddox, Braxton, Knox, Gunner, Harper and Bryer.

Don was preceded in death by parents Houghton (H.L.) and Esther Henson and brother Francis Henson.

Don was born in Cloverdale on March 11, 1936. He graduated from Cloverdale High School in 1954, where he played basketball and ran track. His successful track career extended to Indiana Central College (University of Indianapolis), where he graduated in 1958. He also received a masters-plus from Indiana State and Michigan State universities.

It was during his time at Indiana Central that Don met the love of his life, Marilyn. Following graduation and marriage to Marilyn, Don began his lifelong love of teaching. His career led him to Moreland and Fillmore, Ind., and Battle Creek and Ann Arbor, Mich., where he taught driver education at Pioneer High School before becoming chairman of the driver education department at Huron High School when it opened in 1969. Don was a favorite teacher of many, as evidenced by the countless “Hey, Mr. Henson!” greetings he received from former students, even years after his retirement.

Outside of public schools, Don dedicated time teaching people with disabilities to drive. Don was instrumental in the development of innovative equipment that enabled such people to drive independently, who otherwise would not have had the opportunity.

In 1973, Don and Marilyn moved to Chelsea, Mich., where Don could experience his greatest joys — being outside, tending a garden, cutting wood, plowing snow and enjoying the peace of country living. About age 50, Don discovered the thrill of skiing and quickly memorized the “senior discount” days for each ski hill in Northern Michigan.

Don will forever be remembered for his playful nature and good-hearted sense of humor. His friends and family love to tell stories of his pranks, jokes, funny words of wisdom and infectious laugh.

After retirement, Don and Marilyn moved to Columbus to live near family and enjoyed many vacations and holidays with family out of town. He was a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather, and his grandchildren remember him fondly as a thoughtful, fun and loving grandfather.

Above all, Don was a committed follower of Jesus and served as a deacon, then elder in the Ann Arbor Church of Christ for many years and faithfully served the Fishinger Road Church of Christ in Columbus for many more. Don and Marilyn dedicated much of their time together teaching, helping and serving the church and anyone in need. Don always put others’ needs ahead of his own, he always made family a priority, and he never met a stranger.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, The Dexter Church of Christ (Dexter, Mich.) or The Fishinger Road Church of Christ (Columbus, Ohio).