A.J. Henderson

AJ was born to AJ Senior & Dorothy Ree Neal in Hanford, CA whom both preceded him in death in his early childhood. When AJ’s mother passed away he went into the care of his grandmother Mary Lean Reagor-Neal before the age of 2 years old bringing his life to Bakersfield, CA in 1958. AJ was shortly preceded in death by his grandmother, leading him to the care & raising of his great-aunts Ruby Reagor & Olena Reagor-Carter. AJ was the 6th child of his mother’s 7 children. AJ was preceded in death by 3 of his siblings; Vida Mae Coleman, John Coleman Jr. & Steve Coleman. He is survived by his wife Johnnie Mae Porter-Henderson, his siblings Mary Louise Huggins (Sacramento, CA), Jimmy Lee Coleman, (Sacramento, CA), Dorothy Ann Henderson-Williams & bonus sister (cousin) Olivia Gandy, his uncle Oscar Neal (Wanda Neal), & aunt Bessie Mae Montgomery. AJ attended Bakersfield local schools; Casa Loma Elementary, Golden State Junior High and South High School. As a child, AJ was described as rambunctiously fun & loving. He was creative with making go-carts, loved riding horses & having fun with family & friends. AJ also had a passion for dancing, song writing and playing bongos & drums, which he perfected. Some of AJ’s most fun times as a teenager & early adult years was hanging out with his cousins Kenny Montgomery & Tyrone Neal. In 1976 AJ entered fatherhood, welcoming a baby girl, Shonterra Teri Henderson-Thomas. In 1977, AJ went on to further his education & attended Job Corp trade school where he studied & mastered Culinary Arts. He became employed as a Merchant Marine Cook on ships, which allowed him to travel around the world 2 1/2 times. That was where AJ’s passion for traveling came into play. In the early 80’s, AJ relocated to Reno Nevada, working as a chef at MGM Grand Hotel/Casino. In 1983 AJ welcomed his first born son, Anthony James Henderson III, then welcomed into this world his baby girl Lovey Dominic Henderson-Factory in 1984. AJ prided himself in being a father, whereas others admired his fatherhood. He loved his children tremendously, proudly & out loud! AJ found love & Married Johnnie Mae Porter. And through their love, he wholeheartedly welcomed & loved Robert Vaughn, Rudella Vaughn & Ocola Vaughn as his very own children. Through AJ’s children, a special form of fatherhood was extended to his son-in-laws Tremaine Thomas & Donovan Factory & daughter-in law Tanganique Wright. AJ was the grandfather of Tremaine Thomas Jr. of Okmulgee, OK, Don’nasia Factory of Brandywine, MD, Treshaud Thomas of Okmulgee, OK, Nautica Thomas of Okmulgee, OK, Anthony James Henderson IV of Litchfield, AZ, Jasmine Thomas of Okmulgee, OK, Kai Henderson, Don’yae Factory of Atlanta, GA, Khalani Henderson, Nicholas Henderson, Braylan Henderson, Karter Henderson, Jayce Henderson, Kennan Horn, Lashay Anderson, Avantzi, Ayani, Shartaye, Breana, Dominic, Robert Jr., Robert III, Ava, Ranisha, Raynell & Cameron Vaughn, Kiriyah Hodges & Khiann Lyons. AJ was also a fun, loving & kid at heart with his great-grandchildren. In the late 1980’s - mid 1990’s AJ was employed doing agricultural work. AJ later took an interest in Truck Driving where he trained and obtained his CDL from Western Truck School (Bakersfield) in 2001. Throughout AJ’s trucking career he transported companies: Swift Trucking Dick Simon Trucking & his Uncle Oscar’s trucking company, Pyramid Trucking. AJ’s trucking career was short-lived (2001 - 2004) as he was forced into retirement due to physical injury. Most of AJ’s spare time was committed to making music with his brother Steve (guitarist). In 1985, AJ, Steve & David Thompson formed their first band, “New Horizon”. As their band grew with members, they would perform, entertaining the public. AJ’s sound was the heart of their band, the drummer. As a drummer, AJ set a high standard for that position! AJ band members were like his brothers who he loved dearly. AJ had a big heart for God. He loved reading the Bible (studied the religious values as a Jehovah Witness). He enjoyed spending time alone sitting in the park reading the Bible. In any conversation he’d have, he was sure to let you know what God meant to him and how much he loved God. AJ loved his family, I mean all of his family! Family reunions, gatherings & dining with his baby sister Dorothy were his happy places, as it meant it was a time to have a good time & show love to his family. AJ also had an active guardian/disciplinarian/supportive role in helping raise his nephews Mickey & Teeny, niece Shavon & a host of little cousins, who to him they were very special and dear to his heart. AJ leaves a host of relatives & friends who he placed a mark of his “special” love on. AJ’s love for people, was from his heart of gold!AJ’s saying was, “I love you because God loves me & you!” Our beloved AJ will be extremely missed. He will surely be remembered for his love for God, his love for his family, his smile & that being in his presence was a space for love, laughter & wisdom.