Family, friends, and former employees gathered on Friday morning to honor the memory of longtime
Civic Center Manager Rod Henderson, with the planting of a Magnolia tree in his honor.

Memorial Magnolia Planted In
Honor of Former Civic Center Manager

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Friends, family, and former employees gathered on the lawn of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, Friday morning, to pay tribute and honor former Civic Center Manager Rod Henderson. "It is only fitting that we conduct this ceremony at the beginning of the 38th Hopkins County Fall Festival, as Rod served as Chairman of the Fall Festival Committee and was a driving force in making certain that everything at the Civic Center was prepared for the opening of the annual event," related Dottie Ford. "In making this presentation we want to pay respect and remember all of the contributions that Rod Henderson made to the Civic Center, Fall Festival, and the Community!"

Henderson, who passed away on October 24, 2001, at age 62 years old, had served as manager of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center for 14 years, as he directed the day to day operations and had a lasting impact in booking outstanding talent for Fall Festival Star Night activities. A number of longtime employees of the Civic Center were on-hand Friday to relate their remembrances of Rod Henderson. "He was a great boss and stood behind you, when you worked for him," related Curtis Buchanan, who worked with Henderson for over 11 years.

 

Kim Gideon, Charlotte Henderson, and Gage Gideon pause and reflect at the marker and
Magnolia tree that honors longtime Civic Center Manager, Rod Henderson.

 

"I worked with Rod almost the entire time he was at the Civic Center and he always made it a point to let you know how much he appreciated you," remembered Gayle Snow. "He was a great guy to work for and did so much behind the scenes at the facility!"

"Rod was a wonderful person to work with and always had the needs of the Civic Center, first and foremost in his thinking," expressed longtime co-worker, Otis Calhoun. "He was part of the family here at the Civic Center."

 

 

"I promised the Civic Center Staff that I wouldn't touch this tree, and maybe it would grow," quipped Henderson's widow, Charolotte. "But, seriously, I know that Rod thought of the employees of the Civic Center like they were members of his family and they always gave him 150%, in everything!"

"My family and I are truly honored to have Rod remembered by those he loved, and this will be something to remember him with, as we come to visit the facility," expressed Charlotte Henderson, as she held her grandson, Gage Gideon. "We can use this as a means of sharing Rod with Gage as he grows-up!"

 

 

 

Family members present at Friday's ceremony included Charlotte Henderson, David and Kim Gideon, and Gage Gideon.

 

A closer inspection........Kim Gideon and Charlotte Henderson show Gage Gideon the monument
and Magnolia tree that pays tribute to the legacy that Rod Henderson left at the Hopkins County
Regional Civic Center.

 

"I knew Rod as a business associate, before I came to work at the Civic Center, but after coming to work here, I have really seen the legacy that he left, through the influence he left among the employees," expressed Pansy Bell, Marketing Director of the Civic Center. "He left some large boots to fill and almost on a daily basis someone remembers the things he put in place, at this complex!"

The beautiful magnolia tree is located to the east of the main entrance to the Civic Center, on the front lawn, and bears a monument that dedicates the planting to Henderson. "We want to thank Pioneer Memorials and East Texas Landscaping for their assistance in making this dedication possible," expressed Ford, as she made the presentation. "Generations to come can remember the contributions that Henderson made to Hopkins County!"

 

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