James Richard “Rick” Henson, 66, of Findlay, joined the Heavenly Choir at 12:10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017 at the Bridge Hospice Care Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Wellston, Ohio on Oct. 27, 1950 to the late Oscar Henson and Ruth (Gregory) Henson (Booth).
On May 23, 1970, he married his college sweetheart, Nancy Chaffee, and she survives. Also surviving are their five children: James Richard (Jody) Henson II of Mansfield; Christina Lynne Fleming of Bluffton; Matthew Randall (Carissa) Henson of Findlay; Carrie Renee (Jason) Kibble of Findlay and Gregory Glenn Henson of Cincinnati; 12 grandchildren, Jamey (Christina) and Jessica (Zak Colegrove) Henson; Devon (Jake Patton) and Mariah Fleming; Logan (Daniel) Scallan; Lexi, Madison and Gage Henson; Drew, Nathan and Luke Kibble and Brayden Henson; four great-grandchildren, Riley and Cody Henson, Hunter Scallan and Niya Searcy; a sister, Pam (Ray) Camink of Wellston, Ohio; father-in-law, Glenn Chaffee of Bluffton; brother-in-law, Glenn (Debbie) Chaffee of El Cajon, CA; step-sister, Margi Cooper of Circleville and step-brother, Bill Booth.
In addition to his father and mother, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Harry Booth; mother-in-law, Rachael Chaffee; and maternal grandparents, James Gregory and Elizabeth and Otis Hudson.
Rick was a 1968 graduate of Wellston High School, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit in 1974, a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Findlay in 1997, and a Master’s Degree in Family Ministry from Winebrenner Seminary in 2005. He was currently employed by ADP (formerly The Right Thing); he previously was an adjunct professor at the University of Findlay and Owens Community College.
He was humbled by the call of God to become a minister and faithfully served as Associate Pastor at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Benton Ridge from April 2006 to February 2009 and was the Pastor at Portage Chapel United Methodist Church in McComb from February 2009 until February 2017. He will be remembered for his great love for God and his family, his beautiful spirit in spite of the debilitating effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis and his amazing tenor voice.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home. A celebration of Rick’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017 at Gateway Church with Pastor Ben Borsay officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Rick’s name to the Arthritis Foundation or to the Winebrenner Seminary Alumni Association. Online condolences can be shared with the family by visiting coldrencrates.com