James Douglas "Doug" Henson

James Douglas “Doug” Henson,

Passed away, peacefully, in his bed Dec 23, 2025, at the BeeHive Assisted living facility in McCleary. Born July 12, 1941, in Aberdeen, to the proud parents James and Nelli (Thomas) Henson.

He grew up on the harbor, graduated from North River High School in 1959. He met the love of his life, Karen McLaughlin, at a dance at the Hoquiam roller rink in 1958. They married November 12, 1960, and soon settled in Cosmopolis to raise their children. Tragically, his true love died November 30, 1979, and he never found love like theirs again.

He worked at ITT Rayonier in Hoquiam from 1970, as a millwright and crane operator, until the mill closed in 1992.

At fifty years old, he found himself in college at South Puget Sound Community College, earning his associates degree in technical arts. He started his own business as a handyman until he was hired as a maintenance man at the Hacienda Apartments in Lacey, where he lived and worked for fourteen years.

He really enjoyed sports, and lettered in high school playing football and basketball, volunteered in the Cosmopolis summer recreational program teaching youth basketball, and coached little league baseball for both his son’s and grandson’s teams. There was always a game on.

He loves his family; found his joy in being with them. He is survived by his sisters Marilyn Carlson and Sue Lounsbury, his brother Chuck Henson, his three children Sherrie Smith, Tina Harris, and Ricky Henson, his thirteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, May 9th at 11:00 AM in Fern Hill Funeral Home Chapel. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.