Jerry was born in French Camp, California to Leo and Margaret (Johnston) Henderson. He lived most of his life in the San Joaquin Valley of California before moving to Bloomington, Indiana in the fall of 2020. He served in the US Army from 1960 to 1963 with tours as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne as well as a Military Policeman in Korea. Jerry looked back on his time in the service as the most formative years of his life.

After separating from the Army, Jerry briefly worked in private business before serving as a correctional officer in the California penal system. He left this work to start his own Auto-dismantling business and later a Self-storage business. His greatest passions were hunting and horseback riding and he was known to have an affinity for fast cars. He was also a fitness enthusiast as a younger man and competed in endurance running and biking competitions as well as body-building.

Jerry is survived by his wife Penny, his daughter Lisa Crowhurst, her husband Jamie (USAF Retired) and his granddaughter SSgt Ellé Crowhurst, as well as his son Bill Gering (USAF Retired), his wife Beth and his grandson Jeremy Gering. He was preceded in death by his sister Janie Henderson.

At his request, there will be no funeral service but friends and family can send condolences to pennygering75@gmail.com.