Jerry David Henderson Optimist

International President 2001-2002

Jerry David Henderson, 79 of Springfield, Missouri passed away Monday, March 27, 2023, at Mercy Hospital with his daughter and wife by his side.

Born on September 19, 1943, in Champagne, Illinois, to David and Mary Jane Henderson, Jerry attended Marshfield Missouri High School (Class of 1961), Southwest Baptist University (1962-1964), served in the United States Army in (1965-1967), and came back to Missouri to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from Drury University.

Jerry often told the story that when he was stationed in the U.S. Army at Fort Eustis, Virginia, he was only there for 2 weeks when he asked for permission to go home and marry his sweetheart, Karen Lutgen. Permission was granted, and they were married on December 23, 1965. Jerry and Karen were married for 33 years until Karen passed away in 1998. Their daughter, Nichole, was born July 3, 1969.

Jerry met his second love, Kris Evans, while attending a District meeting of Optimist International. They were married in 2003 and enjoyed friends, events, and travels with their Optimist family. Jerry loved being a member of the Sunrise Optimist Club and was very active in the West Missouri Optimist District, serving as Governor from 1989-1990.

Jerry dedicated many years to the Optimist organization, serving as an Optimist International Vice-President, President-Elect, President, and Board Member. He traveled many extended weekends visiting various Districts in the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada, especially the year he was President. It was a true honor for Jerry, who was an inspirational leader in his quiet, exemplary and supportive way, always having the individual Members’ best interests in mind. When he spoke at many events, he always addressed himself as “just a country boy from the Ozarks.”

Read Jerry Henderson’s full obituary here.