Philip Evart Henderson's Obituary
Philip Henderson passed away peacefully May 31, 2014, at The Trace Senior Living Community, Covington, Louisiana, surrounded by his family.
He was born July 19, 1933, in Houston, Texas, to Evart Linn and Mary Rine Henderson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Diana Ortiz Henderson and his parents. He is survived by his children, Mark Henderson, of St. Clairsville, Ohio; Karen Phayer (Kevin), Mandeville La.; Kevin Henderson (Margaret), Gulfport, MS; Christopher Henderson (Anne), Atlanta, Georgia; Jonathan Henderson (Rebecca), Covington, LA; Teresa Henderson, Mandeville, LA and Andrew Henderson, Farmington Hills, Michigan. He is also survived by his brother, Daniel Henderson (Polly), New Orleans, and his nine grandchildren: Philip, Addison, Alan and Graham Melancon; Molly Phayer; and Karen, Maria, Anna and Felice Henderson
Mr. Henderson graduated from St. John's High School in Shreveport, La., in 1952 with honors. He then received his BA degree in Economics and Philosophy, cum laude, at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (1956) after which he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Tank Corps, and eventually retired as a Captain in the US Army Reserves.
He attended LSU Law School, receiving an LLB in 1959, where he was a member of the Louisiana Law Review from his first semester and elected associate editor during his final year. He was also admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1959, and later to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.
After obtaining his law degree and serving honorably as an officer in the U S Army, Mr. Henderson entered the private practice of law with the firm of Phelps, Dunbar, Marks, Claverie and Sims in New Orleans. He then moved to Houma, Louisiana, where he joined the firm of O’Neal and Waitz, in which he soon became a partner. In 1971, Mr. Henderson and two colleagues founded the firm of Henderson, Hanemann and Morris, a partnership in which he remained until he retired from legal practice in 2002.
During his legal career, Mr. Henderson became widely recognized as a preeminent authority in the maritime law. He tried and argued many cases of importance in the development of maritime law worldwide. He appeared in innumerable cases before all levels of state and federal courts. Most notable among his cases was the landmark case of Rodrigue v. Aetna Casualty and Surety Company, in which Mr. Henderson argued successfully on behalf of his client before the US Supreme Court on the issue of federal maritime jurisdiction.
He is a past member of the Terrebonne Parish (President, 1968), Louisiana State and American Bar Associations; Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He is a past Director and Vice Chairman of the Board of American Bancshares of Houma, Inc. In 2006, he was awarded The Elton Darsey Lifetime Achievement Award by the Terrebonne Parish Bar Association in recognition of his 47 years practicing law with the highest level of professionalism.
Spending time with his family was his greatest joy. He was an avid and expert bridge player, enjoyed reading, story telling and spending time at his bayou camp. During his years in Houma he was a radio broadcaster for Sunday morning masses at his church, Saint Francis de Sales.
The Family wishes to express grateful thanks for the wonderful care and love of his caregivers Lisa Dubea, Jewel Miller, and Sheri Schilling, as well as the staff at The Trace Senior Living Community in Covington, and the nurses and staff of Lakeshore Hospice; and, a special thanks to his long time friend and physician, Dr. Srinivas Ganji, M.D.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte St., Mandeville, LA 70448 at 11:00 AM with visitation AT CHURCH from 10:00 AM until service time. Interment will follow Mass in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Covington, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, www.parkinson.org, 1-800-473-4636. Please sign the online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Philip?
What’s a lesson you learned from Philip?
Share a story where Philip's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Philip you’ll never forget.
How did Philip make you smile?
