Walter "Ken" Kenneth Henderson Jr.

Walter Kenneth “KEN” Henderson, Jr. was born on July 21, 1934, in Battle Creek, Michigan.  He passed away peacefully at home into the arms of Jesus, his Savior, and Lord on February 9, 2024.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Christina Kay Henderson of Tavares, Florida, their sons Paul Bellavance (Michelle) San Antonio TX; Jason Bellavance (Rebekah) Warner Robins GA; his sons Richard Henderson and Andrew Henderson of Battle Creek, MI and Clayton Henderson of Springfield, IL; daughters Adele Kelley, Murrells Inlet, SC; and Bonnie Hendrickson (Frank) of Battle Creek MI; 16 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents Walter Kenneth Sr. and Ethel Henderson of Sorrento, by his brothers, Fondee (infant) and Luke Henderson of Battle Creek MI; Edward Henderson of Mt Dora FL; and Quentin Henderson of TX.

Ken and his brothers’ childhood years were spent on the banks of the Tennessee River where his dad worked for the TVA on the nuclear plant project.  When he was grown, he became an ironworker/welder in construction in Michigan, one of those who walked the high steel beams, for 30 years before retiring from Ironworkers Local #340 in Battle Creek, MI.  He moved to Sorrento FL and worked several local construction jobs in Lake County.  He met his wife Kay while attending First Assembly of God in Tavares.  

He enjoyed playing tennis and golfing until his knees no longer cooperated. Ken was an amazing man of faith and many talents. Ken always loved to cook and grill so he designed and built his own cooker out of a big old steel propane tank and opened Ken’s Barbecue at a little spot in Dora Canal Plaza on Hwy 19 in Tavares, where he had a successful small restaurant for 3 years before selling it.  

Ken had an awesome experience with the Lord in his mid-40’s when he was deep in the grip of alcoholism.  After being in the sanitarium hospital in Battle Creek to dry out twice only to relapse, he cried out to the Lord for forgiveness, repented, and made a covenant with God that if He would take away the alcohol, he would serve HIM the rest of his life. The next morning, he woke up and did not drink ever again.  No withdrawals, no shakes, no desire – a miraculous deliverance.  And he DID serve the Lord the rest of his life.  He even was put on staff at the hospital to minister to those in the drug and alcohol wards where he was once a patient and was able to lead many to the Lord.  He answered the call of God and became an ordained minister, preaching and ministering wherever God opened a door as Messenger Ministries in churches and prisons. In later years, the Lord led him to help a missionary friend in Costa Rica.  He fell in love with the people there who were so hungry for the Lord and made several self-funded evangelistic trips back to there and Panama preaching the gospel to all who would listen with wonderful response and outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Even up to just a few months ago, he still wanted to go back to minister there if his health would have allowed.

Ken always looked for a way to share the gospel or talk about the Lord with anyone he met, even the nurses and all the Hospice workers who came to our home.  Shouldn’t we all do likewise?

Well, his job here on Earth is over now and he is at rest in the arms of Jesus. I can’t help but remember Isaiah 52:7

Isaiah 52:7 NIV - How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

And in another version reads:

Isaiah 52:7-10 The Message (MSG) - How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news, Breaking the news that all’s well, proclaiming good times, announcing salvation, telling Zion, “Your God reigns!” Voices! Listen! Your scouts are shouting, thunderclap shouts, shouting in joyful unison. They see with their own eyes GOD coming back to Zion. Break into song! Boom it out, ruins of Jerusalem: “GOD has comforted his people! He’s redeemed Jerusalem!” GOD has rolled up his sleeves. All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm. Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other, sees him at work, doing his salvation work. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Assembly of God, Eustis on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida.