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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING MR. ALBERT JAMES HENSON
WHEREAS, Albert James Henson, affectionately called "Sonny," by friends and family, was born September 26, 1939, to John Allen Henson and Flora Sanders Henson in Kilmichael, Mississippi. He was their second child of fourteen children.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson's parents and four siblings, Birdeen Henson Campbell, Joe H. Henson, Morrell Henson Roper and Rachel Henson Gilbert, preceded him in death.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson loved hunting, fishing, and taking long walks. As a small boy, he was baptized at Bethlehem M.B. Church and maintained his Christian faith and belief in Jesus Christ throughout his life. Though raised Baptist, Mr. Henson joined the United Church of Hyde Park where he was an active member and reliable willing worker in his later years.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson was an academic and very athletic. Mr. Henson graduated with honors from Old Mount Zion High School (Later re-named Kilmichael High) in 1957 where he played basketball. He immediately left home and joined the U.S. Army receiving an honorable discharge in 1960 before settling in Chicago. Mr. Henson studied at Chicago's city colleges and became a master carpenter. Mr. Henson's woodwork was absolutely stunning and often included intricate carvings paying homage to West Africa.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson met a young nurse while working at Michael Reese Hospital and the pair would marry in a double wedding ceremony in 1962 with the Fuller family. The Hensons settled down on the city's South Side. Described as "movie star handsome," Mr. Henson became a 33rd degree Mason and reached the pinnacle of the organization's leadership. He was also a Shriner and volunteered for many years as a Cub Scout leader. Many years later he remarried.
WHEREAS, Mr. Henson loved road trips and travelled extensively throughout the United States, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe. Mr. Henson was a huge Chicago Cubs fan and loved professional boxing, basketball and tennis....
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