James Henry Henderson

James Henry Henderson, 84, of Kearney, Missouri, passed away on August 13, 2025.

James was born on January 5, 1941, in Eustis, Florida. He graduated from Umatilla High School in 1959. During the summer of 1958, he met a determined young woman named Barbara Givens. They married on September 1, 1962, and were blessed with two children and 63 wonderful years of marriage.

After High School, Jim enlisted in the military and was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. His passion for weather led him to pursue a degree in Meteorology from Florida State University. His illustrious 40-year career began in Quincy, Florida, where he conducted research on produce crops and the effects of the ozone layer. Jim was learning forecast meteorology as a forecaster at Macon Georgia. After receiving his Master’s degree from Florida State University, Jim did research at the Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma while attending Oklahoma University working towards his doctorate. In Birmingham, Alabama, Jim was the deputy senior meteorologist at NWS. In 1976 to 1984, he supervised the radar program for the central region of the NWS which included site inspections for the 14-state area. Jim also became the lead forecaster in the SELS unit which was one of the premier slots for an operational forecaster in all the weather service. In April of 1984, he became the area manager for Northern California and supervised over all weather offices in California north of Tehachapi mountains to the Oregan border. Jim then moved back to the Midwest as the deputy director in charge at the National Severe Storms Forecast Center. Upon retirement, Jim ended his career as the deputy director of the Aviation Weather Center in Kansas City, MO. Jim received many awards throughout his career. Jim also received the American Meteorological Society’s Fellow award.

Jim generously shared his expertise through consulting and teaching roles with organizations such as FEMA, the CIRA Aviation Weather Center, the American Meteorological Society, the University of Colorado, and William Jewell College. His work also took him abroad to China, Uganda, and Colombia.

When he wasn’t studying the skies, Jim enjoyed crossword puzzles, history, and genealogy. Jim loved all sports; he became a soccer fan by watching his grandson, Mac play. Jim also enjoyed competing in the Macy’s 5K run and participating in the Kearney Turkey Trot. Above all, he cherished his family and was actively involved in his children’s lives, even coaching their sports teams.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; Theodore and Mary Henderson; Brother, Jerry Henderson; and son, Dennis Henderson.

He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Barbara Henderson; daughter, Shelly (John) Dunn; daughter-in-law, Arline Henderson; sister, Mary (Steve) Houston; brother Ted (Madeline) Henderson; grandchildren, Clarissa (Eric) Votipka, Nicholas (Chelsey) Henderson, Harry Dunn, Ruby Dunn, and Mac Dunn; great grandchildren, Zack, Hannah, and Haddie; and nieces, nephews and cousins in Alabama, Canada, and Florida.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Terrace Park - Lakeside Chapel on October 4th at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Head for the Cure Foundation in memory of Dennis Kevin Henderson.