Lenard Henderson

Services are scheduled at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, at First United Methodist Church for Lenard G. Henderson, 2205 W. Centre Ave., Artesia, New Mexico.

Coach Henderson, 83, died Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.

Rev. Monty Leavell will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be L.G.s grandchildren and Mr. Mike Phipps. All former students, players and coaching colleagues of Coach Henderson will serve as honorary pallbearers. Visitation at Terpening Son Mortuary will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.

L.G. was born March 20, 1929 in Clarendon, Texas the son of M. M. Henderson and Opal Ingram Henderson.

On June 6, 1951 he was married to Fidelia Ann Hamill in Artesia. The couple moved to Artesia in 1956.

L.G. earned his bachelors and masters degrees from New Mexico State University. For three decades, he made his vocation in teaching sociology and coaching high school football. He will be remembered as a man of extraordinary character, and his life and career left an indelible impact on his family, friends, students and players. Following his teaching and coaching career, L.G. and Fid retired to Buchanan Dam, Texas, spending their time as volunteer campground hosts for the U.S. Forest Service in the Rocky Mountains, teaching and serving at their church in Llano, Texas, and attending their grandchildrens sporting events.

L.G. returned to Artesia in 2010, where he was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He is also a member of the New Mexico and Texas Coaches Associations. In February 2012, he was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his wife Fid of the family home son Butch Henderson and wife Karen of Plainview, Texas son Cooper Henderson and wife Judy of Artesia daughter Linda Prior and husband Jay of Jarrell, Texas brother A.L. Henderson and wife Betty of Fritch, Texas seven grandchildren: Rex, Jodi, Bryan, Matthew, Britni, Janna and Rick three greatgrandchildren: Charis, Asher and Annabelle brothersinlaw Chuck Baldwin and Gene Baird and numerous nieces and nephews. L.G. was preceded in death by his sister, Wanda Baird.

Memorial contributions can be made to either the L.G. Henderson Scholarship Fund, which will award college scholarships to students that intend to pursue football coaching careers, or another charity of choice. Contributions to the scholarship fund will be received at the Artesia High School Athletic Office.