Gail Eugene Henderson

Gail Eugene Henderson, 86, of Quincy, passed away at 8:41 PM Friday, March 15, 2024, at Good Samaritan Home in Quincy, IL.

Born November 22, 1937, in Quincy, IL, Mr. Henderson was the son of Floyd F. and Verna H. (Taylor) Henderson. He was married to Janice L. Hurdle on November 24, 1962. She died January 6, 1982. He married Patricia J. Cooper on February 14, 1986. They were introduced to each other by her brother.

Mr. Henderson attended grade school in Liberty, IL. He graduated from Quincy High School in 1955. Mr. Henderson raced motorcycles on the dirt track circuit in the mid-fifties. He was a licensed pilot and a member of the Four Man Falcon Flying Club. He served six years in the Army National Guard.

While in high school, Gail worked for Pix Photo. He began his career in 1955 at Gardner Denver Company, working in the photography and printing departments. Mr. Henderson joined Jost & Kiefer Printing Company in April 1962. He was appointed President of JK Creative Printers on April 1, 1993, and CEO and Chairman of the Board in 2000, until his retirement on March 29, 2007, after 45 years with JK-C.

Mr. Henderson was a member of Elks Lodge #100 and Spring Lake Country Club, where he was an avid golfer. He also served on the Gem City Business College Scholarship Board.

By those who knew him, Gail is fondly remembered as a man of much kindness, thoughtfulness, and patience. He could often be found with a book in his hand and caused many a smile and laugh with his witty, dry sense of humor. While Gail never turned down an opportunity for rich conversation in business and investments, he also enjoyed animatedly reminiscing on endless trips, celebrations, and memories throughout the years. Gail unwaveringly practiced loyal, unconditional love to his friends and family, described by many as “one in a million.” He was a devoted husband, an incredible father, and a wonderful uncle and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia (Cooper) Henderson; one daughter, Amy A. Cramer of Quincy, IL; three grandchildren, Kaylee E. (Will) Morford and her husband, Cameron, of Canton, MO, Austin T. Will of Quincy, IL, and Christopher M. Will of Quincy, IL; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Henderson of Springfield, IL; one brother-in-law Noel Cooper and his wife, Jody of Ursa, IL; three nieces, Diane (Henderson) Cianferri and her husband Mike of Sherman, IL, Alison J. (Cooper) DuCharme and her husband Jon of Columbia, MO, and McKenna J. (Cooper) Bunjan and her husband Josh, of Edwardsville, IL; two nephews, Randall Henderson and his wife, Patty, of Thorntown, IN, and Mark Henderson of San Juan, PR; one great niece, Casey Bethard of Springfield, IL; and two great nephews, William Bethard and his wife, Sara of Colorado Springs, CO, and Warren Eugene Bunjan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Ron M. Henderson.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation that will be Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at O’Donnell-Cookson Life Celebration Home in Quincy, IL. A funeral ceremony will directly follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Tim Woodard officiating. Burial will be at Greenmount Cemetery in Quincy, IL.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the McReynolds and Anna Brown staff at Good Samaritan Home, the staff at Blessing Hospice, and Cleve Barkley for providing music at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Honor Flight organization or the Quincy Public Library’s Mobile Library.