David John Henson

David John Henson, born October 10, 1959, passed away on July 19, 2023, after bravely fighting stage IV pancreatic cancer. His eyes were a deeper shade of blue than the open water, where he felt most at home on a sailboat. He was an artist, and his beloved wife Tina was his muse. He often said that Tina saved him from despair and renewed his spirit. She remained at his side until he drew his last breath. At the center of his loving, generous heart, he carried his dear daughters, Caroline Henson and Katherine Sauné (Dee). David’s paintings are beautiful, but his daughters are his masterpieces. Caroline deployed her medical expertise and her abundant compassion to assist him through his most difficult days of illness. Katherine brought him sunshine, laughter, and tenacity. David’s creative legacy continues through granddaughters Remi and Riley Sauné, and two more grandbabies on the way. Together with Tina, David was raising nine-year-old granddaughter Bridget. He was her “Pop,” and she was his “Rascal.” Every day after school, he picked her up at the bus stop. He was proud of her, and she brought him great joy. David was a loyal and devoted friend. He leaves behind many who will always remember his kindness, his sense of humor, and his calm, reassuring presence. Many say he was their best friend. Many say he was the best man they knew. One friend, Jay Lanners, described David as the tie that binds. He brought friends together and kept everyone close when they might have otherwise drifted apart. He loved his LSU Delta Tau Delta brothers. He loved his colleagues and customers in the furniture and real estate business, his fellow artists and sailors, his old Dive Shop buddies, his St. Martin’s high school friends. His circle of love was boundless. Pastor Jay Hogewood, David’s steadfast friend, brought communion and God’s peace to David’s bedside at the hospital and shepherded his family through grief on the morning David departed. Pastor Deirdré Allen visited and prayed with David and his family and lifted up everyone with her compassion and presence. Hospital chaplain Mike Binning often brought communion to David and family members staying with him at the hospital. His ministry was a blessing and a comfort. Bruce Amoroso came to the hospital, cut David’s hair, and made us all laugh, which was also healing ministry. They all helped us see that David’s strength would be renewed, and he would soar on eagles’ wings. Many will mourn David’s passing, including his mother Joan Karr Henson, his father John L. Henson and stepmother Joellen Henson, his brother Dirk S. Henson (Jodi), sister Kristin H. Tankersley and her husband Will Hill, who was as close as a blood brother, his cherished cousins, and his nieces and nephews, who called him “Super Dave.” A memorial to celebrate David’s life will be held at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 1:00 with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who are moved to do so make contributions to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 230 Reneé Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70810, or to the St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington, LA 70433. We will carry him with us. We will carry him in our hearts.

David John Henson

October 10, 1959 - July 19, 2023