(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)Jon Allyn Henson, age 62, of Diamond, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on October 20th, surrounded by his loving family.
Jon was born on July 7, 1964, in Lynwood, California, to Tim and Naomi (Fox) Henson. Shortly after his birth, the family returned to Kansas, where his parents were originally from, before settling in Joplin, Missouri, a few years later.
He attended Parkwood High School, where he participated in basketball, football, and track and field, specializing in throwing discus. He eventually left sports to begin working at Dillons Grocery Store in Joplin, where he became known for his ability to pick out the very best produce, especially watermelon.
Following graduation, Jon attended Missouri Southern State University for a short time before beginning his career. He got his start in the drilling industry with Lormar Drilling, working alongside his longtime friend, John Hill. He later transitioned to Pepsi, where he spent nearly a decade building lasting friendships and a strong work ethic that would serve him throughout his life. During this time, Jon and his former wife, Kandie Eads, welcomed three children: Kelsey, Jake, and Katie.
Jon eventually returned to the drilling industry and also spent a brief time as a power plant operator at Empire District Electric. Drawn back to the work he loved most, he returned to drilling.
On December 12, 2000, Jon married his soulmate and partner in both life and work, Tammy (Parish) Henson. Together, they built Henson Foundation Drilling and Henson Heavy Haul into successful businesses within the construction industry. More importantly, they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work and were blessed with six children and eight grandchildren.
A devoted husband, loving father, and the proudest Papa, Jon treasured the family God blessed him with. He was known affectionately by many as "Big Jon," "Jon Allyn," and "Daddy Henson" to his many bonus children, including Zach and Landon Alford, Roger Chairez, and Samuel Spencer, along with countless others. Nothing was more important to Jon than his family and "his people," as he often called them and if you were one of his people you knew.
Jon loved spending time on his land with his cows, working on his classic cars, attending auctions, gathering for family dinners, and traveling. He was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan and could often be found cheering them on at Busch Stadium, from his living room, or traveling to another MLB ballpark. He also enjoyed annual trips to Talladega with "the boys" and many memorable vacations to Las Vegas with his family. During the summer, if he wasn't enjoying time at the lake, you could usually find him on a John Deere tractor in one of the hayfields.
Jon loved every holiday, but none more than the Fourth of July. He was famous for putting on spectacular fireworks displays that became a tradition family and friends looked forward to every year. He had a special talent for making the holiday unforgettable for everyone who attended. To no one's surprise, he was always on the hunt for the loudest firecracker he could find, taking great pride in getting a few laughs, startled jumps, and unforgettable memories from those nearby.
You never had to guess Jon's favorite color. His red truck and the big red shop that housed the businesses he and Tammy built from the ground up made that perfectly clear.
If you knew Jon, you knew he loved sweets and Friday night dinners at El Charro's. And if you caught him relaxing with a cold one, it was almost certainly a Coors Original. These familiar things will forever bring a smile to the faces of those who knew and loved him.
Jon is survived by his beloved wife, Tammy Henson; their six children, Timothy Enayati and wife Becca, Kelsey Parrish and husband Kyle, Samantha Enayati, Jake Henson and wife Shelby, Katie Schafer and husband Drake, and Sarah Parrish and husband Chase; and their eight grandchildren, Avery Enayati, Emmett Enayati, Jaxton Henson, Brekkyn Parrish, JD Henson, Collin Parrish, Olivia Enayati, and Kennedy Schafer.
He is also survived by his mother, Naomi Smead (née Fox Henson); his siblings, Bryan Henson, Shawn (Sherry) Smead, Jennifer (Jeff) Bethurem, Ashley Henson, and Shelby (Chris) Jinks; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished family friends.
Jon eventually returned to the drilling industry and also spent a brief time as a power plant operator at Empire District Electric. Drawn back to the work he loved most, he returned to drilling.
On December 12, 2000, Jon married his soulmate and partner in both life and work, Tammy (Parish) Henson. Together, they built Henson Foundation Drilling and Henson Heavy Haul into successful businesses within the construction industry. More importantly, they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work and were blessed with six children and eight grandchildren.
A devoted husband, loving father, and the proudest Papa, Jon treasured the family God blessed him with. He was known affectionately by many as "Big Jon," "Jon Allyn," and "Daddy Henson" to his many bonus children, including Zach and Landon Alford, Roger Chairez, and Samuel Spencer, along with countless others. Nothing was more important to Jon than his family and "his people," as he often called them and if you were one of his people you knew.
Jon loved spending time on his land with his cows, working on his classic cars, attending auctions, gathering for family dinners, and traveling. He was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan and could often be found cheering them on at Busch Stadium, from his living room, or traveling to another MLB ballpark. He also enjoyed annual trips to Talladega with "the boys" and many memorable vacations to Las Vegas with his family. During the summer, if he wasn't enjoying time at the lake, you could usually find him on a John Deere tractor in one of the hayfields.
Jon loved every holiday, but none more than the Fourth of July. He was famous for putting on spectacular fireworks displays that became a tradition family and friends looked forward to every year. He had a special talent for making the holiday unforgettable for everyone who attended. To no one's surprise, he was always on the hunt for the loudest firecracker he could find, taking great pride in getting a few laughs, startled jumps, and unforgettable memories from those nearby.
You never had to guess Jon's favorite color. His red truck and the big red shop that housed the businesses he and Tammy built from the ground up made that perfectly clear.
If you knew Jon, you knew he loved sweets and Friday night dinners at El Charro's. And if you caught him relaxing with a cold one, it was almost certainly a Coors Original. These familiar things will forever bring a smile to the faces of those who knew and loved him.
Jon is survived by his beloved wife, Tammy Henson; their six children, Timothy Enayati and wife Becca, Kelsey Parrish and husband Kyle, Samantha Enayati, Jake Henson and wife Shelby, Katie Schafer and husband Drake, and Sarah Parrish and husband Chase; and their eight grandchildren, Avery Enayati, Emmett Enayati, Jaxton Henson, Brekkyn Parrish, JD Henson, Collin Parrish, Olivia Enayati, and Kennedy Schafer.
He is also survived by his mother, Naomi Smead (née Fox Henson); his siblings, Bryan Henson, Shawn (Sherry) Smead, Jennifer (Jeff) Bethurem, Ashley Henson, and Shelby (Chris) Jinks; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished family friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Tim Henson; his sister, Amy Henson; and his maternal and paternal grandparents, Jay and Hazel Fox and John and Zelda Henson.
Jon will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those who came to know him as family. His memory will live on through the stories they share, the traditions they carry forward, and the love he gave so freely throughout his life.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m. at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Private burial will follow at McConnell Cemetery, located on the family farm.
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