James Henderson

James Raymond Henderson, age 91, of Fargo, ND, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015, at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo. Jim was born September 16, 1923 at Sykeston, ND to Floyd and Teresa (Laber) Henderson. The family moved to Lynchburg, ND when he was five years old. He attended schools at Goshen, Durbin, Langdon, Wimbledon, and Streeter, ND, graduating from Jamestown High School in 1941. He married Eva (Eve) Louise Chilson on November 24, 1943, in Jamestown. They lived in Eagle Butte, SD where Jim managed the grain elevator until he was drafted into the Army on April 24, 1944 at Ft. Snelling, MN. He sailed out of Manhatten, NY on October 13, 1944 to England with the 311^th Infantry Regiment, 78^th Division, 9^th Army. They arrived in France mid November of 1944. In early December they moved to the front lines in the area of Rotgen, Belgium. He took part in the following battles: Siegfried Line, (including bitter house to house fighting in Kesternich), Schwammenauel Dam, Remagen (one of the first infantry battalions to cross the Rhine over the Ludendorf Bridge) and the Ruhr Pocket. Jim mustered out of the Army as a staff sergeant in March of 1946.  He was awarded several medals including the Bronze Star for helping to eliminate a German 88’ artillery position. Following his discharge from the Army, Jim and Eve lived in Lynchburg, ND and Morgan, MN where he managed Farmers Elevators. In 1958 they moved to Fargo where Jim worked as a grain merchant for Cargill for 25 years, retiring in 1983. From 1983 to 1985 he worked for Agri-Mark in Fargo. Jim spent his retirement years volunteering at the FM Emergency Food Pantry and delivering Meals on Wheels. He was an active member of the Golden K Kiwanis, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and the Fargo American Legion. He was honored with several awards for his service to the community In January of 2000, Eve became a resident of the Bethany Memory Care Unit. Jim joined her at Bethany in September of that year. He remained a devoted husband to Eve until her death on March 13, 2007. During their 63 years of marriage they were a blessing to many. James was preceded in death by his wife Eve, his parents Floyd and Teresa Henderson, his sister, Ramona (John) Bullock; brothers: Oscar “Bud”; George (Jean), and three nieces. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Eileen Henderson, Brainerd, MN; several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends including the Richard and Shirley Bolme family. Jim was a man of incredible honesty and integrity, with strong morals and a deep faith. His faith and actions spoke boldly throughout his life and he served as a role model for all those who were fortunate to be associated with him. He will be remembered as a kind, unassuming gentleman who set an example on how to live a life centered on faith, family, and service to community. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Bethany Retirement Living, 201 University Dr., Fargo. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.