David H. Henderson Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, Marine, attorney, and man of unwavering faith, passed away after a life defined by service, integrity, humility, and love.
To many, David was known for his distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps and the Department of Justice. To those who knew him best, however, he was something even greater: a devoted family man, a trusted mentor, a faithful servant of God, and a man who quietly made the lives of others better wherever he went.
Born to David H. Henderson Sr., a retired United States Air Force Major, and Florence Steciak Henderson, David grew up in Oklahoma and earned the rank of Eagle Scout before graduating from Del City High School. A natural leader, he served as president of his junior and senior classes and captain of the debate team. He attended the University of Oklahoma on an ROTC scholarship, where he distinguished himself academically and militarily, graduating with a bachelor's degree and receiving the Marine Corps Sword as the top Marine graduate in his class.
Following Officer Candidate School, the Marine Corps selected David to attend the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He graduated with honors and was inducted into the Order of the Coif, a distinction reserved for the nation's top law students.
Over the course of a twenty-year Marine Corps career, David served as a military attorney and handled numerous nationally significant cases. Among the most notable was his representation of Sergeant Clayton Lonetree in the espionage case that became the subject of several books, including Rodney Barker's Dancing with the Devil. Barker described David as a laid-back Oklahoman who appeared more interested in hunting and fishing than legal battles, warning readers that "it was a mistake to underestimate him." Beneath his easygoing manner was a brilliant legal mind, keen judgment, and a quiet confidence that earned the respect of colleagues and adversaries alike.
David also successfully represented Douglas Beane, a Vietnam-era serviceman who returned after two decades away in hopes of seeing his dying father and later represented a Marine captain in Guantanamo Bay in a case that would become associated with the story later adapted into the film A Few Good Men.
In 1989, he was selected as the military escort for James Pierce, brother of First Lady Barbara Bush, during the presidential inaugural festivities. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1990 with the rank of Major.
His commitment to justice continued long after his military service. Following retirement, he became the first Public Defender appointed to serve the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the surrounding counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and King George. In 1992, he joined the Office of the United States Attorney under U.S. Attorney Bob Wortham and went on to serve for twenty years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas.
David's greatest accomplishments, however, were never the titles he held or the cases he argued. He believed deeply in hard work, personal responsibility, and treating every person with dignity. He had little interest in accolades for their own sake. Instead, he measured success by the quality of one's work, the strength of one's character, and the impact one had on others.
He taught those lessons daily.
Whether building a family home with his own hands, tending a garden, caring for livestock, or mentoring his children, David believed that anything worthwhile required effort. He taught his family that no job was beneath them and that honest work, done well, was one of life's greatest virtues.
At the center of David's life was his family.
Nothing brought David greater joy than his marriage to his beloved wife, Lois. He often remarked that he was the luckiest man in the world and never quite understood how a woman like Lois had chosen him. Their marriage was marked by deep affection, friendship, faith, and unwavering devotion. Together they created a home filled with love, laughter, and example, teaching their children and grandchildren what a strong and loving marriage could be.
David was equally devoted to his many beloved Brittany bird dogs. He spent countless hours hunting, training, and caring for them throughout his life. Though the dogs may not always have shared his enthusiasm for following instructions, they were treasured members of the family and a constant source of joy.
Following retirement, David dedicated himself to serving others. He volunteered for eight years at the Gib Lewis Prison, counseling inmates struggling with addiction and helping them find hope and purpose. He helped establish the Bridges to Life program under the direction of Father Frank Rossi and devoted himself to restorative justice and prison ministry. In recognition of his extraordinary service, the State of Texas honored him in 2020.
A devoted Catholic, David was an active member of Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church in Woodville, Texas. He served as a SCAP minister, cantor, Eucharistic minister, lector, choir member, and participated extensively in ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service) retreats and St. Maximilian Kolbe Prison Retreats. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus and found profound purpose in sharing his faith through service to others.
Perhaps the simplest way to describe David is this: he spent his life helping people. Whether serving on the school board of his daughters’ school, defending a client, prosecuting a case, mentoring a child, comforting a prisoner, serving his church, supporting his family, or simply returning shopping carts in a parking lot because he thought it might make someone else’s day a little easier, he consistently chose service over self.
David was preceded in death by his parents, David H. Henderson Sr. and Florence Steciak Henderson.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Lois Badeaux Henderson; his daughters, Mary Henderson Grimes and husband Sean Grimes of Kingwood, Texas, and Anne Henderson of Paris, France; his stepdaughter, Dr. Jessica Bergen and husband Dr. Edward Bergen of Lake Charles, Louisiana; his stepson, Michael DeJohn Jr. and wife Aubrey DeJohn of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; his cherished grandchildren Olivia, Sophia, and Emma Bergen; Lola and Sully Grimes; and Adler DeJohn; along with his beloved baby sister, Jeanne Henderson, and many extended family members, friends, colleagues, parishioners, and former clients whose lives were touched by his kindness and guidance.
David leaves behind a legacy not measured by professional accomplishments, but by the countless lives he influenced through his example. He taught those around him to work hard, think independently, serve generously, love deeply, and walk humbly with God.
His family takes comfort in knowing that the values he lived by continue in the generations that follow him. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, caregivers, and staff of Dogwood Trails Manor and Olive Branch Two Hearts Hospice for the exceptional compassion, dignity, and care they provided David during his final days. Their kindness brought great comfort to David and to those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in David’s honor to the Lewy Body Dementia Association to support research, education, and assistance for families affected by Lewy body dementia.
Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. with a 6 p.m. Rosary on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church in Woodville. Military honors burial will follow in Swearingen Cemetery in Warren. Officiating will be Father Regimon George. U.S. Marines will serve as pallbearers.
Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.
