Joseph Lafayette Henderson Jr.

Mr. Joseph " J.L." Lafayette Henderson, Jr., of Middleburg, Florida passed away at the age of 85 on August 21, 2020. He was born May 14, 1935 to Joseph L. Henderson Sr. and Anna Elizabeth "Betty" Paff Henderson in South Bay, Florida. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Lee High School in 1953 and was on the track team and cross country. He met and married Shirley Ann Sweat in 1954. They were married for 48 years before her passing away in 2003. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He loved reading and studying military history. Upon graduation from high school he joined the US Marine Corp Reserve in 1953 where he attained the rank of Sergeant and worked with aircraft hydraulics and heavy machinery. He was honorably discharged in 1961. He was very proud of his service to his country as a United States Marine. He joined the Operating Engineer's Union #673 and worked mostly with the Auchter Company. He was involved in the construction of many buildings in the Jacksonville area such as the Times Union, Independent Life (now Wells Fargo), Southern Bell (now TIAA), St. Vincent's Hospital, The Great Cross in St. Augustine, The Apollo Space Program launch pads, digging canals for Cape Canaveral and a large hotel project in Nassau, Bahamas, just to name a few. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Freemason. He was raised to a Master Mason in 1968 and received his 50 year pin in 2018. Mr. Henderson joins other family members in heaven: his wife, Shirley Henderson; his parents, Joseph L. Henderson Sr. and Betty Henderson, his sister Caroline Best, son-in-law Bobby Hicks and grandson Austin Henderson. He is survived by his current wife, Brenda Ann Hickox-Henderson; daughters: Deborah Hicks and Jennifer (Gene) Champion; sons: Joe Henderson, John (Theresa) Henderson, and Raphard Noah (Joann) Hickox-Moody; siblings: Bobby (Bettie) Henderson, Richard Henderson and Marie Jarrell; grandchildren: Amanda Hicks, Bobby Joe Hicks, Jessica Hicks, Brad (Aysha) Champion, Dillon Henderson, Brittanie Henderson, Aaron Henderson, Sean Henderson, Nathan Henderson, Kaitlin Henderson, Collin Henderson, Savannah Disharoon, Dakota Henderson and Risa Henderson and great grandchildren: Lexie, Kody, Paige, Harper, Rosie, Lila and John III, father-in-law, Raphard Ellis Hickox, plus many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Graveside funeral services will be held 2:00pm, Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at Long Branch Cemetery, Maxville, with Brother Ben Harrell officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8:00pm, Tuesday, August 25, 2020 in the chapel at Warren Funeral Services of Baldwin. Please leave condolences online at www.warrenfuneralservices.com. Warren Funeral Services of Baldwin is honored to serve the family of Mr. Joseph L. Henderson Jr.