Bob Henson Sr.

Robert "Bob" Neil Henson Sr., 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born June 25, 1930, to Esther Crosby and Carlos Henson in Jackson, Tennessee.

Bob moved to Michigan City, Indiana, where he met the love of his life, Emma Ellen Wantland, and they married April 11, 1952. She died Aug. 23, 2012.

Bob served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator during the Korean War and came home to his wife and firstborn when the baby was 9 months old.

Bob and Ellen have three children, Robin, Neil and Cynthia.

Religion and faith were an important part of Bob's life, as evidenced by the example he lived. He was a member of La Croix United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school. Bob then became a member of Cape Church of the Nazarene.

He worked at Dage Television in Michigan City. In 1967, Bob accepted his first sales position in television broadcasting at Raytheon in Englewood, New Jersey. In 1968, he moved to Pittsburgh, working for Apple Video, and in 1970 was employed with International Video Corp. in White Plains, New York, while making the long commute from Westport, Connecticut.

Bob accepted a position as eastern regional sales manager with Lenco Electronics and in 1979 was promoted to Lenco's sales manager, relocating to Jackson.

In 1989, Bob became self-employed as International Broadcast and moved to Cape Girardeau. In 1990, he launched Link Electronics, a manufacturing television-broadcast products company.

Bob retired in March 2016. He became an avid clock builder, constructing clocks for family and friends.

He is survived by his three children, Robin Payne and her husband, Rod, of Texas, Neil Henson of Cape Girardeau and Cynthia Sovich of Washington; six grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Steven, Bobby, Annie and Amy; three great-grandchildren, Avery, Ethan and Bailey; an aunt, Pauline Crosby King, and her son, Pat King; and a great-nephew, Jimmy Huckabee, and his wife, Jane. He also is survived by his loyal dog, Shadow.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ron Watts officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Jason Hill conducting the committal service. Military graveside rites will be provided by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial donations may be made to Cape Church of the Nazarene, 2601 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, or contact the Rev. Hill at (573) 335-6767.

Bob was virtuous and hard-working, with a positive attitude and an incredible sense of humor. He is truly missed.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.