Frank Ralph Henderson

FRANK R. HENDERSON, JR. SWOOPE, VA…  Frank Ralph Henderson, Jr. of Swoope, died peacefully October 15, 2017 at Kings Daughters Community Rehabilitation Center in Staunton. He is survived by his wife Margaret Dietz Henderson, whom he married January 1, 1994 in Buchanan, Virginia. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Johanna Dietz Katzenelson of Haifa, Israel; brother-in-law James Stratton Dietz of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; many cousins, especially including Preston Wickline and R.D. Henderson, both of Buchanan, Virginia. He is also survived by his wife’s special niece, Marykirk Goodhart Cunningham and her family of Leesburg, Virginia.  Mr. Henderson was born in Washington, D.C. January 26, 1933 to the late Frank Ralph Henderson and his wife Grace Lineberry Henderson. He graduated from St. Albans School, Washington, D.C. in 1951 and the McIntire School of Commerce of the University of Virginia in 1956.  Immediately upon graduation, Mr. Henderson began his 38 year career with Chrysler Corporation. Working for the Leo Rocca Dodge-Plymouth dealership in Washington during high school and college summers he had developed his passion for and knowledge of the automotive industry. Mr. Henderson’s career was primarily in the fleet division, culminating with 20 years as Director, Federal Government Vehicle Sales. He especially enjoyed his contacts with the Forest Service, where he would spend time on location to specifically analyze their requirements of a vehicle. He was also proud of providing the vehicles to the White House for seven Presidential administrations, Lyndon Johnson through Jimmy Carter. Mr. Henderson served in the Air Force, 1956-1958. Throughout his life he held the American military in deep respect, as reflected in his 60 year membership in the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C. Upon his retirement in 1995, Mr. Henderson moved to a farm he had purchased in Botetourt County, Virginia near his father’s relatives. His love and appreciation for farms and cattle had been nurtured from childhood with many trips to his grandparents’ farms in Carroll, Tazewell and Botetourt Counties. His first land and tractor were purchased on the Blue Ridge Parkway adjacent to Mabry Mill. His next farm was near Lovettsville, Virginia in Loudoun County. It was on this farm that he raised his first Herefords, purchased from his uncle H.H. Lineberry of Burke’s Garden, Virginia and developed his lifelong love of the breed. It was also in this community that he met his future wife Margaret in 1976. In 2001 he moved to his current farm in Swoope, continuing his passion for cattle, hay making and John Deere equipment. He also enjoyed sharing the farm with special groups, including Glenmore Hunt, Ride With Pride and the Augusta bird watchers. Early in his retirement Mr. Henderson owned and operated the Greenwood Restaurant in Troutville, Virginia. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 24, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Staunton, 11 AM, conducted by the Rev. T. Bryson Smith. A burial service will be conducted Monday, October 23 in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C. in the Henderson family plot. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 22, 3-5 PM, at the residence. If desired, contributions are suggested to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2000 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, Virginia 24401, or Ride With Pride, PO Box 1203, Staunton, Virginia 24402. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.