Alan Dean Henderson

Alan Dean Henderson, 74, passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021, in Clark Fork, Idaho from kidney failure. 

A Celebration of his life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Cabinet Mountain Calvary Chapel with Pastor Scott Douglas officiating.

 Alan was born on April 17, 1947 in Stillwater, Oklahoma to Thelma Ruth and Omer Henderson.  He graduated from Meadowdale High School, Lynnwood, Washington, in 1965.  He then attended two years of trade school in Seattle.  Alan enlisted in the Navy from 1967 to 1971 as an Aircraft Mechanic.  He worked at the Port of Seattle on 40-foot straddle carriers for several years.  He also worked at Alaska Marine Lines in Seattle working on semi-trucks as a trailer mechanic and welder.  He was a semi-truck, car carrier and delivery truck driver in Seattle, Idaho and Montana over the years.

Friends of Alan’s set him up on a blind date with a woman named Linda on January 9, 1981, however, they failed to tell her that she was being set up!  She was not impressed, but soon got over it.  Linda became his bride on July 25, 1981.  They celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary this year.  Alan had a five-year-old son, Russell, and a three-year-old daughter, Crystal, from a previous marriage.  Linda’s first proposal was from Crystal.  She asked Linda to marry her daddy and Linda told her that her daddy should be the one to ask her.  She said “Okay, I will tell him”!  She did and he did!  Linda also had a 12-year-old step-son, Jerry Leckenby, from a previous marriage that rounded out their family. 

Alan was starting to have some health issues so he and Linda decided to walk on the wild side and move from Renton, Washington to Clark Fork, Idaho in June, 1996 and he loved it here!

Alan was a kind, gentle and loving soul. Children loved him because they could see his gentleness under what may have sometimes seemed a rough exterior to some.  He was the best husband, father, grandfather and uncle, which includes the children of close family friends that endearingly call him “Uncle Alan”.  He drew good people to him and the best out of them in so many ways.  Few people remember him with less than a smile on their face.  He taught people how to be good to each other in little ways with a joke or a poke when they needed it.  He may have not been a musician or a dancer but he enjoyed both fully.  He didn’t need much and often gave more.  He worked harder than he needed to, more often than not, because it was the right thing to do and he raised his daughter and sons to do the same.

Alan was a believer in The Lord Jesus Christ.  He had a quiet peace about him through all that he endured with his health.  He was not afraid to die, as he knew his reward was not on this earth, but in Heaven with eternal life through Jesus.  Alan was an avid reader and studied and read the Bible many times.  He attained more understanding of the Word of God each time.  He said it sustained him through all the things in his life and gave him peace and comfort, no matter was happening to him or in this changing world.

Alan is survived by his wife, Linda Henderson, daughter Crystal Teraberry (Keith), sons Russell Henderson (Stella) and Jerry Leckenby (Nina).  Grandchildren, Jacob, Evan, Christian and Robbie Leckenby, Asha Kohli, Maggie, Marylin, Monique, Maeve and Maxine Teraberry.  Many Nieces and Nephews and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his father, Omer Henderson and mother, Thelma Ruth Henderson, brother, Donald Henderson, sister, Shirley Cooper, granddaughters, Wesley Teraberry and April Leckenby, grandson, Kyle Pham and nephew, Geoff Cooper.