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In Memoriam

Colonel James S. Henderson

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Colonel James S. Henderson

17 November 2010

Died with two others supporting training at Avon park.


This page is dedicated, by his friends, to a fighter pilots' fighter pilot, the best friend a person could have, and a loving husband to a wonderful wife he adored.

Magic made his final flight on the evening of Wednesday November 17th 2010. At 2045ET, over the Avon Park range south of McDill AFB, FL, The Boss summoned Magic to The Great O'Club In The Sky.

To say his passing has left a hole in many, many hearts is a monstrous understatement. He was more a brother than a friend, and most of us who were privileged to know him are still in shock. Nevertheless, this small tribute to a very big man is a start to healing a wound that will never completely heal.

We hope that all who knew him will contribute: photos, stories, whatever. We've left the page open to all.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colonel-Jim-Magic-Henderson-USAF-Ret-Memorial-Page/171388296222195?ref=ts#!/pages/Colonel-Jim-Magic-Henderson-USAF-Ret-Memorial-Page/171388296222195


High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

"They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We Will Remember Them."

R.I.P., buddy. My nickel's on the grass. You have no idea of how much you'll be missed.

Ridgeback.


Visitor Comments
Hofstede's Country Barn
Richard Procee, Jan 23, 2011 - 12:44 AM

I know his inlaws and have met his wife in our store. We offer our sincere condolences to the family. May the Prince of Peace comfort your hearts at this time.

Condolences
Ray Shide, Feb 01, 2011 - 07:24 PM

Our condolences to the family. May the Lord takes care of his loved ones.

My heart felt sorrow
MSgt Randy Hansen USAF Ret, Mar 24, 2011 - 03:51 AM

Magic you will be missed I was my pleasure to serve with you

Nomen est omen
Rolf , Luftwaffe, Exchange Pilot Mac Dill, Oct 21, 2012 - 03:03 AM

His callsign says it all. Had a blast in the early 90's at Mac Dill with him, one true Fighter Pilot. Met him again in the Netherlands on his exchange tour, perfect support

for the Dutch MLU-program. Just too bad......

Magic was....well Magic
Todd Wilkinson, Mar 01, 2013 - 05:01 PM

I was privileged to have seen Jim work his "magic" in the MATV evaluations and he made a HUGE impression on all of us that were involved in that program.

More than a fighter pilot
David White, Sep 21, 2013 - 09:35 PM

I met Jim while I was an aviation parking volunteer at the airshow in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada in 2004, I was 18 at the time. I would spend hours with him and his 2 seater Viper talking about flying and making jokes. He not only let me sit with him at his static display but would allow me to talk about his plane to ongoing spectators while he sat under his jet's wing in the shade. I remembered him as a very kind and loving man who had a heart for people. Out of all the pilots I've met it was this man that left the biggest impression on me. It's very sad that he left so soon, he will be forever missed.

Magic was like no other
J Cappe, Jan 18, 2014 - 04:58 AM

I worked for Magic while he was at the Pentagon in SAF/XCI --what a great guy. He was honest, a really decent guy and really smart. I was privleged to be a part of his 0-6 pin on. A couple of years later we met up in California to attend the retirement of a former member of the team who was dying of brain cancer. I didn't learn of Magic's death until a year after it happened-- there aren't many like him around.







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