Carrel Gene "Slim" Henderson

Carrel Gene “Slim” Henderson, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grand father and friend, died Monday, December 12, 2016 at his home following a sudden heart attack. He always said, “the good Lord willing, I will be there”. Monday, the good Lord was willing and accepted him into Heaven’s Gates. Slim was born on July 25, 1934 in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma to Marvin and Jimmie Henderson and was raised by Woodrow and Eunice “Did” Dickerson in Gore, Oklahoma. Carrel Gene attended Cedar Creek School outside of Gore and later Gore High School. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1953 where he was a gunner’s mate on the USS James E. Kyes (DD-787) until 1957. Carrel Gene loved his time in the service and was proud to be a veteran of the United States Navy. While serving his country, Slim always kept his first love of his life in the back of his mind. He proposed to his late wife Ella Elizabeth “Liz” Doolin by one of his characteristic love letters while he was overseas serving our country. They later married on August 7, 1955 at White Chapel Church in Gore, OK. They enjoyed 34 joyous years together prior to her passing. Slim and Liz had 3 beautiful daughters together, Kathy, Terry, and Kristi. His girls were the pride and joy of his life. He never missed a chance to tell each of them how much he loved them. It was very common of Slim to call each of his daughters 2-5 times a day. Following Liz’s death, he met the final love of his life, Patricia Silva, whom he was married to for 22 loving years. They enjoyed traveling up until their final days together. Slim gained his son he always wanted when he married Pat. Slim and Pat raised Richard Silva and they were very proud of him. In his early years, he worked at Woodie’s Conoco service station in Gore. He then went on to serve his beloved country. Following his service, he went to OSU Tech in Okmulgee, OK to become an Electronic Technician. He drove a pop route for Pepsi in Muskogee following school, all while working at a TV shop. After the pop route they moved to Tinker Air Force Base, where he was an electronic technician. Slim moved to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico and worked at NASA. Following his period in New Mexico, he moved to Webster, Texas to Johnson Space Craft Center where he worked on the Apollo 10 Space Ship. When he finished Apollo 10 he moved back to Tinker for about 5 years. In 1973, the family moved back to Gore and Slim opened a TV shop and western store. After the store closing, he built homes around Gore with T.M. Montgomery while going to Iron Working School. He worked for Bennett Steel up until his retirement, alongside his brother, nephews and one great nephew. Slim never retired from his real passion, electronics. He could always be counted on to fix a TV, a stereo, or even come to his grandkids’ home to successfully fix a dryer electric board. Slim raised Appaloosa show and race horses, and loved watching them race. He taught his daughters to barrel race and show his prized Appaloosa’s. Slim watched the Triple Crown races all the way up until his passing. He loved to talk horses. He loved to spend time outdoors fishing in his younger years. In his later years, he was an avid fan of OSU and OU sports. He had a true passion for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He watched every single game and wrote down the final score, date, opponent and record in his journal by his chair. He recently was honored by the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma for serving 50 years in the Masonic Lodge. His family suggests memorials be made to Webbers Falls Masonic Lodge #14 or the Shriner’s Hospital in Carrel’s honor. Although he enjoyed many things, there was nothing Carrel Gene loved more than his family. He never missed a birthday or holiday card. He sent all of his girls Valentine’s gifts every year. His peanut brittle was famous across the region. He was well-known for giving out nicknames, and pestering his grandchildren any chance he got. He was bigger than life, and our hero. Slim was preceded in death by his parents, all of his brothers whom served in the military, Harlan Lee, Clifford, Kenneth, Jack and James Henderson, and sister, Alice Henderson Sandlin. He is survived by his wife of the home, Pat. His sister, Maggie Baumann and husband Ed of Palos Verdes, California. His daughter Kathy Miller (Lu Lu) and husband Larry of Coweta, OK, daughter Terry Sloan (Blondie) and husband Steve of Gore, OK, daughter Kristi (Iodine) and husband Billy of Muskogee, OK, son Richard (Muck Puck) Silva of Edmond, OK. Grandson Michael Richardson and wife Jennifer and kids Preston and Noah of Broken Arrow, OK. Grandson Joseph (Joey) Richardson and Fiancé Cierra Moore and kids Mackenzie and Jayden (Woodie) of Coweta, OK. Granddaughter Lacey (Lacey J. Dalton) Jackson and husband Michael of Gore, OK. Grandson Cody (Bear) Sloan and wife Ashley and daughter Adeline of Gore, OK. Granddaughter Kelsey (Little Bit) Martinez and husband Edward and daughter, Piper of Stillwater, OK. Grandson Kyle (Master Kyle) Taylor of Muskogee, OK. Many friends and other relatives were also left behind. To celebrate Carrel Gene’s life, Pastor Kurt Henry will be officiating services held at Gore United Methodist Church in Gore, OK on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home. Active pallbearers are Richard Silva, Michael Richardson, Joseph Richardson, Cody Sloan, Michael Jackson, Kyle Taylor, and Edward Martinez. Honorary Pallbearers are Mitch Parker, Jim Chronister, Frank Sosa, Don Gotcher, Don Wayne Ellis, Wayne Sloan, Stan Sheffield, and Tim Veenstra. Interment will follow at White Chapel Cemetery in Gore, OK. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com.

Carrel Gene "Slim" Henderson

July 25, 1934 - December 12, 2016