Charles Eugene Henderson

Charles Eugene “Chuck” Henderson, a Lab retiree, died Feb. 14 at his home in Klamath Falls, Ore. He was 77.

The youngest child of Vern and Mabel (Illian) Henderson, he was born June 25, 1931, in Hot Springs, SD. He was raised in Ontario, Ore. He left school during his junior year to join the Navy and served from 1948 to 1952 with two tours of duty in the Mediterranean on the USS Coral Sea. After his discharge, he received his GED and later his high school diploma from Ontario High School.

He met and married Dorene Marian McGavin in 1953 in Ontario. The couple made their first home there and later moved to Boise, Idaho where he attended Boise Junior College. He later transferred to Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls in 1954. He graduated in 1956 in electronics technology. He was recruited to work at the Lab’s Electronics Engineering Department. He retired in 1972.

He enjoyed being an active life member in the Elks Lodge for 56 years. He helped to start the lodge in Livermore in 1959. He also was a member of USS Coral Sea CVA-43 association.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years; children and their spouses, Janet and Terry Dressell; Ron and Annette Henderson; Michael Henderson; and Marcie and Bill Young; grandchildren Jon Dressell and his wife Holly, Christy Dressel, Nikki Henderson and Natasha Henderson; Melissa Gasparavic and her husband Steve; and Tami Keat; five great-grandchildren; and brother and sister-in-law Wally and Kathi Henderson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles E. Henderson Jr.

No formal services were held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to High Desert Hospice, 2894 Greensprings Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 or Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center, 2865 Daggett Ave., Klamath Falls, OR 97601.