Mr. Augustin "Gus" Henderson, age 88, of Cedartown passed away on Friday, July 10, 2009. He was born April 14, 1921 in the Youngs Station Community in Polk County, Georgia, the son of Augustin Young Henderson and Carro Dodds Henderson (both deceased).

Gus served in the U.S. Army paratroopers during World War II. He was retired from Wright and Lopez, Inc. where he started as timekeeper and retired as President of the company.

Gus was one of the founders of the Cherokee Golf and Country Club where he served on the Board of Directors and as President. Gus also served for a number of years on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of First Federal Savings and Loan Association and later Regions Bank.

Gus was a member and chairman of the Board of Directors of Cedartown-Polk County Hospital Authority (Polk Medical Center). He also served on the Member Advisory Committee of Polk Medical Center under management of Redmond Regional Hospital of Rome. He took pride in the contribution he made on behalf of Polk Medical Center.

Gus also served as chairman of the Cedartown Auditorium Board. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Masonic Order, and the Shriners. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Cedartown.

Gus is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary M. Henderson, daughters and son-in-laws, Carro and Dave Baskin, Lucy and David Scarborough, and Margaret Walls. He is also survived by four grandchildren; Suzanna Price (Wayne), Emmy Baskin, Katie Scarborough, and Wesley Walls. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Lucy Aring and Margaret Pearson.

The memorial service for Mr. Henderson will be conducted on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at The First United Methodist Church in Cedartown with Dr. Bob Hoffmann officiating. Dan Winn and Glenn York will also speak and share their memories of Gus. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery with full military rites to be conducted by the Brewster-Cleveland Post #86 Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The First United Methodist Church, The Samaritan House, or your favorite charity in his memory.

Gus never liked wearing neckties and it is in his honor that gentlemen are being given the option of not wearing a tie to honor Gus during the memorial service.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mr. Gus Henderson.