James Henson

James “Jimmy” Rodney Henson was born on August 15, 1947, in Long Beach, California to parents Hazel Juanita Henson and Jakie Leon Henson. He was the third of five children. He attended schools in Long Beach, graduating from David Starr Jordan High School in 1965. He served in the Army for three months and was discharged on a medical discharge due to recurring kidney stones. He attended Compton Jr. College and got an AA degree from Long Beach City College before transferring to California State University at Long Beach.

In 1966 he met Rita Althea Norman at a wedding reception. In May of 1970 they were married (at least they thought they were) by a Methodist minister who didn’t know either of them. All through the ceremony he kept saying to Rita, “Do you take Norman as your husband” while we kept saying James. He pronounced Rita and Norman married. He told us later it would be legal even though he had said the wrong name as he put it correctly on the license.

Jimmy started as a custodian at the Long Beach School District in 1969 and during his 31 years there worked his way up to area manager. He retired the day he turned 55 in 2002. Jimmy and Rita moved to Otterville, MO in July 2002 after finding the house he wanted online two years earlier. He loved living in Missouri, having property he could hunt and fish on. He left all his family in California and never regretted moving to Missouri. He loved the Lord and immediately got involved in church activities at Otterville Presbyterian Church as a member and elder. In 2011, he and Rita were called to start the Otterville food pantry, later named Baskets of Blessing Outreach.

He loved gardening, canning, and especially making hot sauces (the hotter the better). He loved to cook and share food and recipes with other people. He had a great sense of humor.

He started geocaching in 2005 which led him to all 50 states plus several international places. He loved to travel and by retiring early was able to do quite a bit of travel.

Jimmy passed away at his home on March 7, 2025, at the age of 77.

His parents and one brother preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rita, of the home; two sisters, Iris and Steve Boe, Paula Doss, and one brother, Ronald Henson, of California; his son, Christopher Michael Henson and Nova, and grandchildren, Ava and Otis Henson, from Tucson, AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Heckart Funeral Home, where funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will be in Knob Noster Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Mobility International, in care of Heckart Funeral Home, 903 S. Ohio Ave., Sedalia, MO 65301.