James Ernest Henshaw passed peacefully on Saturday, April 27 with loved ones by his side. He was nearly 93 years old.
Jim's life began on May 13, 1931 in Hugo, Oklahoma. He was the 3rd of 4 children to Ruben F. Henshaw and Grace Irene DeWitt Henshaw. His siblings included brothers Nat Henshaw, Jack Henshaw and sister Jean Mahaney.
In 1938, his family moved to Tulsa, where they operated Henshaw Lumber Company. Jim attended Will Rogers High School, graduating in 1949. He attended Oklahoma A & M but left to enlist in the Air Force, and served during the Korean War. After the war ended, he attended the University of Tulsa and graduated with a degree in business. After graduation, he worked with his brothers in the building business.
In 1954, he married Patricia Sue Patterson and had two daughters, Sharon and Sandy. Sandy passed in 1978. In 1982, he married Janice Eileen McDillon and was happily married for 41 years.
In 1980, Jim ran and was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, serving District 79 for 14 years. He had a passion to help small business and worked on many initiatives, including the formation of a lobbying committee so that small businesses had a voice in State government.
Jim loved nature and he pursued these interests in a number of roles: He loved to ski and was President of the Tulsa Ski Club. He was an avid golfer and was proud of his "Hole in One" two times at Stone Creek. He volunteered as a docent for the Tulsa Zoo and enjoyed taking animal ambassadors into Tulsa classrooms. Jim proudly became a Master Gardener and was an active member of Tulsa Master Gardeners for over 25 years.
Friends and family were an important part of his life. He'd meet with friend groups weekly for coffee. Sponsored by his friend, Jerry Gustafson, Jim and his wife Janice joined the Tulsa Men's Club in 2002 and these activities and its members became a very special part of his life.
Jim is survived by his wife Janice, daughter Sharon and husband Juan Leon, grandsons Michael Leon, Marco Leon and his wife Madison. Also nieces Janine Vanvalkenburgh and husband Kirk, Leslie Morris and husband David, Linda Fisher, and all their families.
With a deep faith that began as a small child, Jim was always a part of a church family and was an active member of the John Knox Presbyterian Church. Jim will be remembered as he takes this next step in life to be with His heavenly Father with a service at John Knox Presbyterian Church at 2929 E. 31st Street on Friday, May 3 at 11:00 AM.
In Lieu of flowers family suggests donations to John Knox Church or National Foundation for Autistic Research.