Longtime councilman remembered for being a gentleman
Published 3:52 pm Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Pauline Barker, wife of former Port Arthur City Councilman Felix Barker, said they just don’t make that kind of gentleman anymore, referring to former councilman, Tom Henderson.
Former Mayor Deloris “Bobbie” Prince, likewise, said the city of Port Arthur lost a great, great advocate and a good Christian man.
Henderson, 91, died on Monday. He served nearly 20 years on the Port Arthur City Council.
Prince said she just asked about Henderson’s health on Sunday. She added that he was a dedicated member of the Port Arthur Community Retirement Home Committee.
“You couldn’t find a more dedicated or knowledgeable person,” she said. “I was heart broken when I heard he passed. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him (on the committee and on the city council). Tom Henderson had a lot of integrity and a love for Port Arthur. My heart goes out to his wife.”
Henderson served nearly 20 years on the council in Positions 3, 6 and 8.
He said in an interview with The News dated Sept. 1, 2015 when he was running for Position 7 he offered a stabilizing effect on the council. His issues for running were better streets, drainage and supporting city beautification efforts. Charlotte Moses would to on to win the election for that seat.
He graduated from Jasper High School. He moved to Port Arthur in 1946 to attend the Port Arthur Business School that is now Lamar State College-Port Arthur.
He served in the Navy during World War II. He retired from Texaco in 1983 as supervisor of computer operations. He was also a member of First Baptist Church of Port Arthur.
He, and his wife, Peggy, had three children. One is deceased and two are living. They also have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Barker said Henderson helped start the Port Arthur Neighborhood Action Council nearly 10 years ago as part of the neighborhood watch. He was also active in the Concerned Citizens of Griffing Park.
“He didn’t bear grudges,” Barker said.