Merlin Leroy Henderson Jr. passed away July 18, 2022, in Reston, Virginia.
Merlin was born Nov. 26, 1962, in Seattle, Washington. He joined the U.S. Army after graduating from Adna High School in 1981. After four years of active duty, he continued his service to our country in the NSA and NRO and up to his passing he served as chairman and co-founder of Stratos Solutions Inc., a defense contractor.
Larger than life, his passing is mourned by his friends, family and colleagues everywhere. He is survived by his two daughters, Lauren and Elizabeth Henderson, of Virginia; his granddaughter, Maxine Adele Henderson-Bailey, of Virginia; his siblings, Michelle Strauss, of Washington, Mark Henderson, of Oregon, Kimberly Tapia, of California, Barbara Eadie, of Washington, and Jennie Housden, of Washington; his uncle and aunt, Richard and Yvonne Dunn, of Washington; his nephews, Bogart Strauss, of California, Nick Prinzing, of Washington, and Nick and Kenneth Souheaver, of California; his niece, Simone Strauss, of California; his cousins, Craig and Jeff Hoseley, of Idaho, Rick Dunn, of North Carolina, Jenna Schoenbachler, of Washington, and, Katie Dunn, of Washington.
Merlin is preceded in death by his grandparents, Merlyn Ellis Dunn and Beatrice Perkins Dunn and Chester Henderson and Vivian Sauer Henderson; his parents, Colleen Dunn Housden and Merlin Leroy Henderson Sr.; and his uncle and aunt, Ralph and Delores Hoseley.
At his request, his ashes will be spread privately via family members in the Puget Sound waters on Oct. 8 and a graveside memorial service will be held Oct. 9 at Swofford Cemetery in Mossyrock, Washington, followed by a celebration of life at the Mossyrock Grange. To RSVP or ask questions, please contact strausspa@protonmail.com.
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