Tom Henson Memorial Golf Outing

NEW LYME TOWNSHIP — Thomas Edward Henson, age 66, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, with his family by his side.

Born June 16, 1948, in Cleve-land, Ohio, he was the son of Carroll and Josephine (Rein) Henson. Tom was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Carla Rae (Benton) Henson, on March 21, 1970.

Having graduated from Kent State University in 1971, Tom was a teacher for 42 years. He taught at Middlefield Cardinal High School for five years and at Grand Valley High School for 37 years, earning Master’s Degrees in Health and Physical Education, as well as Library Science. He coached multiple sports for more than 42 years, and also served as Athletic Director at Grand Valley for 13 years. Tom loved spending time with his wife, Carla, his children, and grandchildren.

​

He had a love for sports, coaching, and teaching. He dedicated his life to his family and to the many student-athletes who walked the halls of Grand Valley High School.

​

Tom’s joy in life was providing students with guidance along with words of encouragement and inspiration to be the best they could be on and off the field/court. Tom was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rock Creek, where he also taught CCD with his wife, Carla, for several years.

He was a member of the Ashtabula County Basketball Foundation Board of Directors, the Ashtabula County Touchdown Club, the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association, the Grand Valley Athletic Boosters and Boosters Hall of Fame Committee, as well as the Western Reserve Basketball Coaches Association.

Through his service to the community, Tom was also a recipient of The Gene Gephart Service Award from the Ashtabula County Women’s Scholar Athlete Association; The Knights of Columbus Post 5589 St. Mary Church “Man of the Year” Award; and an award of Special Recognition was given to Tom and Carla for their years of service in the Grand Valley community from the Ashtabula County Basketball Foundation. He was a 2007 inductee into the Ashtabula County Basketball Foundation Hall of Fame and a 2014 inductee into the Grand Valley Athletic Hall of Fame along with his wife, Carla.

Tom is survived by his wife and three children, Kimberly (Thomas) Triskett of Orwell, Kelly Henson of Orwell and Krystal (Paul) Force of Kirtland, six grandchildren, Anthony (21), Abigaile (15), Madalyn (11), Carmen (5), Jordan (5) and Logan (1); and two brothers, James (Evelyn) Henson of Edinboro, Pa., and Timothy Henson of Jefferson, Ohio. He is also survived by six nieces, two nephews and several great-nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Betty Benton; as well as brother and sister-in-law, Al and Karen Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepmother (Margaret); two brothers, Johnny and Jack; a sister, Mary Margaret; and father-in-law, Carl Benton.