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Earl Larue Henderson

Benton, KY Oct. 08, 1931 | Jul. 29, 2019
Benton, KY | Oct. 08, 1931 | Jul. 29, 2019
Earl Larue Henderson October 8th, 1931 – July 29, 2019. He was born as a depression era baby. Born to parents of Scottish descent he was raised to be a frugal man, but the generosity of his time, talents, and most of all, love, was a special gift he brought to his family and friends. As a young boy he developed a love for basketball, and he became good at it. As a 6’5” redhead he earned the nickname of Big Red on the court. A name many people knew him by the rest of his life. He was selected as an All Purchase Player while playing for the Benton Indians. After high school he signed up for the US Army and was sent to Korea. As a young man he had spent most of his life close to home and family. In Korea he developed a new family with the men he fought beside as a small artillery gunner, earning the rank of Corporal. He took part in the biggest battle of the Korean War on White Horse Mountain. Intelligence sources discovered 100,000 Chinese planned an attack from the other side of the mountain to gain the strategic advantage. As a soldier during those ten days of battle he and his fellow soldiers fought back, the hill changing hands 24 times during the fight. On the most intense night of the battle, his single rifle would fire 800+ rounds, leaving his ears bleeding and with permanent nerve damage. He was proud to be a veteran, yet spoke of it very seldom. He came home, though he remained active duty reserve until 1960. There, he met and married Shirley Shoulta, from Husbands Road, Paducah. They married on June 29, 1956. Their marriage lasted 63 years and one month until his death. During that time, they raised one daughter, Kimberly Ann. He began a job at AirCo, then Air Products, and finally Westlake, where he retired in 1992. As a young, married man, he joined the Jaycees to give his time toward civic duty and developing the Benton fairgrounds. He was always available at the St. Pius parish in Calvert to help with building projects, fish fries, and became a member of the Knights of Columbus to serve others. A lifelong dream was realized when he bought a 1932 Ford Coupe street rod. He and Shirley became members of the River Tin Street Rodders, traveling with the club and raising money for charity with annual shows their club put on. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Shoulta Henderson, sisters Norma Locke and Charlene Smith, both of Benton. Also, one daughter, Kim Lampert (husband, Marty) of Benton. Two grandchildren, Ross Lampert (wife, Meaghan), Rachelle Taylor (husband, Daniel), and five great grandchildren: Braydan, Aiden, Millie, Anniston, and Quentin. Through his example his family bore witness to love and service of others. He will be missed. Prayers will be said at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019 at the Collier Funeral Home, Benton, KY. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, 2019 from 5:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Collier Funeral Home, 211 West 5th Street, Benton, KY 42025. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Calvert City, KY. Father Brian Johnson will officiate. Interment will follow in the Marshall County Memory Gardens, Benton, KY. Arrangements are being handled by Collier Funeral Home, P.O. Box 492, Benton, KY.

Collier Funeral Home
211 West 5th Street
Benton, KY 42025
Email : info@collierfuneralhome.com Phone : (270) 527-3141