Vernon Dean Henderson

Vernon Dean Henderson “Dino” or “Dean”, 90

Pendleton, Oregon

June 4, 2026

Desire for Healing, Memory Care Unit

Heart slowly stopped, he was not in any pain and thanked everyone prior to falling into a deep sleep. 

He was born July 3, 1935, in Milton Freewater, Oregon, in a little white house behind the high school. 

His parents were Delma Fay Dawson Henderson, 98 and Wesley John Henderson, 98. They were married for 76 years and passed away within 2 weeks of each other. 

Only sibling: Wesley LaVern Henderson, 81. Dean was very proud of his brother Wesley, and would often share stories of him playing baseball. They called him "Hurricane Henderson”, I believe. Dean saved a baseball from Wesley’s high school days.

He married Delnita Marie Julian, 88, in 1957, they had one son, and later divorced. They remained life-long friends. In 1965, he met Beverly Jean Hall, they had one daughter, and never married. She spoke very highly of him and always loved him. 

He attended The Seventh Day Adventist School and did not graduate because they would not accept his Bible studies as credits. He would have had to go to school for another year, so he left school at age 17, and went to work at Harris Pine Mill for 35 years. He was known for his amazing singing voice, as was his brother.

At age 10, he sold East Oregonian News Papers on the streets downtown. Many know him from his time working at Wendy’s, flipping burgers and greeting people at the door. He retired from Wendy’s after 36 years of service where they had a big celebration and presented him with a beautiful jacket that has his name and years of service.

Survived by: son Lawrence Dean Henderson, 65 and daughter Deena Lynn Nelson, 59. His only grandchild is Sierra Chyenne Helton, 27. He did not get to see his great grandchild born as she is due in August. His parents were Delma Fay Dawson Henderson, 98 and Wesley John Henderson, 98. He had four nieces and nephews: Gary Henderson, Jodi Henderson, Karen Henderson, and Missy Henderson. He had several animals throughout his life, but one special dog was Dino that everyone loved. 

He loved the Lord Jesus with all his might and it showed in the way he treated people. There were always friends, no strangers. He loved to shake everyone’s hand as he passed them or thanked them for their kindness. The words of those around him were always: “He was such a kind and loving person.” He was everyone’s favorite human being. He would like his memory to be happy ones, smiles, and kind words. He did not like unkind words spoken of anyone and would often say, “Well we all have our ways, we all have our problems, let’s just be kind to one another.”

His Celebration of Life will be at The Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pendleton, Oregon, on June 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM, with a small reception following. There will also be a small gathering at The Saddle that evening around 6:00 PM.