James Ralph Henderson

James Ralph Henderson, 58, of Stokesdale, passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 16, 2022.
 
He was born January 25, 1964, to Colleen Moon Henderson and Rufus Mae Henderson, the youngest of six children, in Asheboro (Randolph County), NC.
 
James attended North Carolina State University in 1982. In May 1984, he joined the US Air Force, one of the youngest to achieve Staff Sergeant, receiving an Honorable Discharge in March 1988 as Staff Sergeant. James joined McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, CA, in April 1988, through its transition to The Boeing Company. After 26 years, he left Boeing in January 2014 to take on other opportunities in aerospace manufacturing at Arrowhead, LisiCorporation, and in 2017, moved to HAECO America’s in Greensboro, NC. James joined Barrier1 Systems (security gates, barriers, and nets) in 2021, achieving his dream of being President of a manufacturing company.
 
James is survived by his wife of 29 years, Candace Montross Henderson; daughter, Alexandra Nicole Henderson, and young ladies that he loved, treated, and treasured as his daughters, Simi Avakash Patel, Christine Elizabeth Borowsky, and Geneva Diane Minns; sister, Gloria Henderson Hamilton; and brothers, RM (Linda) Henderson, and Lester (Shelia) Henderson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth “Jean” Henderson Smith and her husband Eddie Smith, his brother, Thomas Christopher Henderson, and brother-in-law Harrell Hamilton. Since returning to NC in 2017, he reconnected with nephews and nieces which was a gift and joy: Scott Hamilton, Preston Hamilton, Jason (Chandra) Smith, Angie (Chad) Gregory, Addison Gregory, Morgan Gregory, Sharon (Jeremy) Wallace, Taylor Colleen Wallace, Dakota James Wallace, Kevin Henderson and Bradley Henderson, other family and many friends. 
 
From Asheboro, NC, to Merced, CA, to Long Beach, CA, to Macon, GA, back to Southern California, and finally Greensboro (Stokesdale), NC friends that are family are counted among those who survived him. His “West Coast” Family, Sharon Miles, Shawn Pocius and the Metter Family, Gail, Brian, Jessica (Scott), and Jennifer (Chris).
 
A man who knew no stranger, he served and loved his country with pride; James believed hard work, dedication, education, and a choice made for personal responsibility and excellence could make the impossible, possible. He was loved, respected and will be missed by the many he worked under, supervised and mentored.
 
To his family of “girls,” he was a hero, friend, father, husband, and anchor; we are well-loved.
 
Always ready with a smile and story, a Celebration of Life will occur later.
 
On-line condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com 
  
Pugh Asheboro Funeral Home is serving the family of James R Henderson.
 
No flowers, please. If you wish to send a memorial gift, he received assistance from the American Red Cross <https://www.redcross.org/donations/your-gift-matters/military-families.html> Support for Military Families while in the USAF. He would be honored by your support of this organization.