Henderson Polk, Sr.

Great Memories of Henderson Polk, Sr.

On Friday, October 17, 1941, Robert Polk and Azalena Wyche-Polk welcomed their baby boy, Henderson Polk, into the world.  Henderson graduated from O. H. Herman High School in Van Vleck, Texas.  He also attended Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, Texas. He was a lifetime member of Vine Grove Christian Church in Live Oak, Texas where he was a lifelong usher and served as their leader since childhood. He stood by his favorite verse found in Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

He and his best friend Moses made it a thing to wrestle every morning before school just to see who would win! Ultimately, he won Moses' sister Edna as his bride and on Saturday, June 29, 1963, he married her. The Lord blessed them to parent three children, Henderson, Jr., Nina, and Sherri.  They enjoyed spending time with each other, their children and later in life their grand and great-grandchildren as well as other family members, friends and loved ones.

He was a hard worker, outdoorsman, and a sport enthusiast. He worked faithfully for the Bay City Independent School District, which led him to fifty years of dedicated service. As an outdoorsman he was a gardener to his core. He was known for preparing his soil each season by hand to ensure his family and friends had the very best produce to enjoy.  As far as sports is concerned, he loved watching and playing sports. His favorite teams were the Texans, Astros, and yes, The Bay City Blackcats. He looked forward to a good ole “Blackcat Fight” on Fridays while proudly working the gates on game night. He liked playing adult slow pitch softball and was a proud softball coach of the Eaglelettes. He was Houston Texan’s number one fan until the very end regardless of all the family who supported the other “Texas” teams.  He also served his community as a Boy Scout Leader.  When not spending time outdoors or being involved in some type of sports you could find him around the house relaxing with family, friends, and some good food.  Yes, give him some seafood, BBQ, steak, lemon pie, or teacakes and he was right at home.  Likewise, give him a Texas Almanac and he could lose himself for hours in the pages. The family knew he loved ‘All Things Western’!

On Saturday, March 1, 2025, he gained his wings. He will be remembered as a God-fearing family man who put his family first!  He lived by the motto: “Don’t be one who takes the easy road, but one who works hard and dedicates himself to the task at hand to ensure it is finished to perfection” and “don’t take no wooden nickels”. Those who will often reflect on these and other precious memories include his loving wife of 61 years: Edna Polk of Bay City; his children: Henderson (Debra) Polk, Jr. of Barstow, CA, Nina Polk and Sherri Polk both of Richmond, TX; grandchildren: LaPrincess Polk, Henderson Polk III, LaPrecious Polk, and Prinston Polk; great-grandchildren: Jaylin Booker, Mackenzie Jones, Janelle, Dallas, Delila, and David Polk. His brother and sisters-in-love, J.D. (Wilma) Gatson, Moses (Venita) Gatson, Alice Gatson, Oscar (Leah) Gatson, Enoch (Rita) Gatson and Debra Gatson; godchildren Akeysha Cannon and Catriona Gatson; special niece: Jennifer Polk; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family friends, and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Azalena Polk; brothers: Samuel Franklin and Billie Polk (Cherrie); brothers and sisters-in-love Leonard Gatson, Mary Claibourne, Lottie Gatson (whom he raised as his own), Loretta Gatson, and Ethel Gatson; parents-in-love Hortense and Enoch Gatson Sr.

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