John H. Henderson

John H. Henderson passed away on January 8, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. A public visitation will be held on Sunday, January 31,2021, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with family in attendance from 3-to 5 pm, at Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 1, 2021, at Laurel Hill cemetery at 10:00 a.m.

John Henry Henderson was born March 27, 1948 in Sioux City, IA to Lona Mae Shelton and Henry Eleby. He was raised from a young age by his mother and step father, Walter Henderson, Sr. The family relocated first to South Sioux City, Nebraska and then to Des Moines, Iowa.

John received his primary education in Des Moines and graduated from Des Moines Tech High School in 1967. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent overseas to Germany for duty. He served from 1968 to 1974. His honorable discharge brought him back to the Des Moines area where he owned and operated a tailor shop. He also operated A-1 Detailing on weekends and holidays with his sons, Mark and John, Jr. assisting.

John was a master tailor with a keen eye for fashion and design. He held several fashion shows which featured his designs. He even made dresses and quilts for his grandmother. John also sewed his beloved wifes wedding dress. When John wasnt sewing he was a huge advocate for human rights. John, Cissy Cheatom and Evelyn Davis were all major players in the civil, womens, voting, reproductive and low income housing rights activities in Des Moines. John was also very active in church. He and his siblings sang at St. Johns Baptist church and Shiloh Baptist Church throughout their youth, with mom playing the piano for them. John rededicated his life to Christ in 1984, and was baptized with his children at New Bethany Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Pastor A. E. Johnson, Sr. After joining the church he served as janitor, usher, deacon, armor bearer and eventually minister.

In 1977, love bloomed for John when he met Shirley Banks at his sister, Joanns house. He pursued her until she agreed to marry him on Valentines Day, 1974. Together they raised 7 children. John and Shirly moved their young family to California where he believed God had a divine plan for his life. He was blessed to find work at the VA Hospital in Long Beach, CA. He worked his way up from orderly to timekeeper. John always took pride in his work and was the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Helping Hands Award. He retired in 2018 after 34 years of service.

Sadly, the love of his life preceded him in death on November 1, 2020. They were together 45 years. Johns parents passed away when he was young, so Johns grandmother, Susie "Big Mama" Shelton and aunt, Alice Morris helped to raise the family. They too, have passed away; as did one of the children, Robbie Banks, and his brothers, Thomas and Joseph Henderson.

Left to mourn Johns passing are his children, Lona (Elder Juan) Singleton, Francine Henderson, John Henderson Jr, Mark Banks-Davis, Tia Banks, Morenika Banks and Honorary son, Loren Deering; grandchildren, Michelle (Rauh) Karim, Tommy Amal, Jaj Amal, Terion Davis, Jabari Hill, Sebastian Eli Eleby-Thomas, and Jemima Elizabeth Singleton; great grandkids, Janiya Oliver, Giselle Oliver, Kendell Cropp, Kendrick Cropp, Enyala Tolen, great-great grandchild, Grey Thomas Hockenburg; siblings, Walt (Donna) Henderson, JoAnn (Harold) Rose, Edna Henderson, Susie (Louis) Patton and Lori Brooks a host of nieces, nephews extended family and friends.Visitation









Sunday, January 31, 2021

10:00am - 5:00pm









Glendale Cemetery

Visitation (with family present)









Sunday, January 31, 2021

3:00 - 5:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home

Graveside Service









Monday, February 1, 2021

Starts at 10:00am









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home