David Charles Henderson was born on August 11th, 1947 in Hot Springs, SD to Leona Bayne Henderson and Samuel Charles Henderson. At the age of 4, he moved with his mother, brother George, and stepfather Richard Miller to the Miller Ranch north of Edgemont, SD. The boys grew up working on the ranch, along with their sister Susan, and came to know many friends and neighbors in that area which included the Runges, Petersons, Dodsons, Andersons, Standens, Putnams, and Darrows. They were very active in 4-H and attended school at the Marietta Schoolhouse and Edgemont Elementary and High Schools. At the age of 15, David moved to Edgemont and went to work for Kenny Helsel and Frank Gilkey, working his way through high school. During this time, he became very close to the Jack Kane family, who lived directly across the street and operated the Kane Implement business. David graduated from Edgemont High School in 1965 and moved to Las Cruces, NM to attend college and be closer to his father "Chuck", his wife Roberta, and their children Kathy, Karen, and Sam. Later in the summer of 1965, David returned to Edgemont to be closer to his longtime high school sweetheart and future wife, Jane Ann Wing. David and Jane Ann were married on August 13th, 1967, and to this marriage two sons were born: John Wayne and Jeremy David. David worked at the uranium mines as a heavy equipment operator. After an accident at the mine in 1968, which caused him to check into the hospital, he was diagnosed with diabetes. That was the beginning of a lifelong struggle with the disease that would eventually claim his life.

David and Jane Ann resided in Edgemont for nearly all of their lives. David worked for Lackey Machine Products in Igloo, SD until he started with the Burlington Northern Railroad as a track laborer and welder where he worked for nearly 30 years. David also served on the Edgemont Volunteer Fire Department as a firefighter, chief, and honorary member since 1969, a short time with the Edgemont Volunteer Ambulance, and in various other community service positions. Medical issues continued to plague David throughout his entire adult life. His life was extended through the extreme generosity of three different organ donors for which he and his family are very grateful. In 1995, Duane Wing donated a kidney; in 1998, he received a pancreas from an unknown donor; and on June 3rd, 2009 he received another kidney from Connie Kane Mohrman.

David passed away on August 1st 2009 due to acute pneumonia and respiratory failure. He was preceded in death by his mother Leona Bayne, father Samuel Charles Henderson, brother George Henderson, and sister Susan Thompson. He is survived by his wife, Jane Ann, his two sons, Major (Promotable) John Henderson and Sergeant First Class Jeremy Henderson and their spouses (the former Amy Jo Weber and the former Tina Gustafson), seven grandchildren (Travis, Janae, Luke, Grace, Brittany, Amanda, and Joshua), a brother (Samuel Charles Henderson), two sisters (Kathy Christie and Karen Unruh), and his father's wife of over 50 years, Roberta Henderson.

People who knew Dave came to appreciate his uncompromising integrity and work ethic. His family is forever grateful to the loving organ donors, extremely professional doctors and nursing staff at the Mayo Clinic, and all the members of the Southern Hills Community for their tremendous support, which extended Dave's life.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 7, 2009 at the United Church in Edgemont with Reverend Floyd Mills, Reverend Norma Mills and Reverend Marion Gray officiating.

A memorial has been established in David's name to benefit the Edgemont Volunteer Fire Department or the Lyon's Club Park Bridge Project.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.