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Facts and Events
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Obituary - WICHITA EAGLE-BEACON - Friday, October 24, 1986
LEE HENDERSON, POLITICIAN, WAS A "FARMER AT HEART"
At an age when most men retire, Lee Henderson fought and won three elections to the Greenwood County Commission. But his heart was always on his farm and ranch near Severy, his family said.
"He loved the farm ground. He was a farmer at heart," said his nephew, Harold Henderson.
I think he would want to be remembered as a good abiding citizen who was satisfied helping people and doing his work," said his wife, Chrystal.
Mr. Henderson spent most of his term of office supervising county road maintenance crews, trying to respond to residents complaints about deteriorating roads.
"He was pretty attentive to it. He tried to help the people the best he could. He always had enough to do. He didn't need any hobby," his wife said.
In 1973, the Greenwood County commissioners were the target of a civil lawsuit alleging the unlawful purchase of property, the letting of a bridge contract without bids and the use of county employees to pave private property.
The resignation of one commissioner and an out-of-court settlement ended the suit, allowing Henderson to serve out his term. Vern Miller, who was then Attorney General, said the violations had not been "willful".
A lifelong resident of the Severy area, Mr. Henderson was born on Sept. 15, 1900 to Henry Henderson and the former Mattie Collins. After a grade school education, he began working on an area farm.
He married Chrystal Gilbert on Aug. 19, 1922 in Howard. Funeral service will be at 1;30 p.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home.
Survivors include his wife; brothers, Lewis of Topeka, Raymond of Eureka, and Harvey of Wichita, and a sister Alma Holmes of Wichita. A memorial has been established with the American Cancer Society.
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