Arthur Thomas "Tom" Henson III

Arthur Thomas “Tom” Henson III, 85, passed away at home Sunday morning Sept 15 of cardiac arrest. From family to faith, music to humor, Tom lived a long and full life in Oxnard, always helpful and humble along the way.

Tom was born in Kemmerer, Wyoming on May 21, 1939 to Art and June Henson. After a stop along the way in Hanford, CA, the family of 5 (with Judy and Rick) settled in Oxnard in 1947.  His mother was a school teacher and his father established Henson’s Music Center in downtown Oxnard.  Tom attended local schools, graduating from Oxnard High School in 1957, where he participated in football, basketball, baseball & played trumpet in the band.

After high school, Tom went to Ventura College, where he met his future wife of 61 years, Joan Borchard.  The pair, nicknamed “Ham & Eggs” continued on to Fresno State, graduating in 1961. They then returned to their Oxnard roots, married in 1962 and had 3 children: Tom, Lisa, and Lori.

Tom served 10 years in the California National Guard, rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While running his own business, he made time to volunteer with the Boy Scouts and Northside Little League.  He also loved helping his father-in-law, Ralph Borchard, plant the annual lima bean crop, joining the crew on the bean planter.

Music was in Tom’s soul, so it was fitting that he took over Henson’s Music Center from his dad. Working together with his wife (still “Ham & Eggs”), the music stores expanded to Camarillo (47 years) and Ventura (15 years), sharing Tom’s love of music throughout the area. He took special pride in passing music on to the county’s future generations – teaching music students, repairing instruments, & especially by supporting local school music programs.  He played his trumpet in multiple community bands.  He performed “in the pit” for the Cabrillo Musical Theatre Company (at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center), and was a member of the big band jazz group “Swing Shift” for many years.

With selflessness and humor, Tom was always good for a laugh. There was no joke he couldn’t make longer (or funnier) and even though you swore you weren’t going to laugh, you still did.  He was a great husband and Dad – living the values of hard work, integrity and compassion.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Joan; son Tom (Ventura); daughters Lisa and Lori (Oxnard); sister Judy Gunn (Centerville, Utah); brother & sister-in-law Rick & Gloria Henson (Nampa, Idaho); and many nieces and nephews.

Tom was kind and funny, good-natured and friendly.  Faith and family, music and laughter, and a good BBQ along the way sum him up.

Donations in Tom’s name may be made to St. John’s Healthcare Foundation 1600 North Rose Ave. Oxnard, CA 93030 supportstjohns.org or to your local school music program.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, Sept 27 at Reardon Funeral Home, 511 North A Street, Oxnard. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept 28 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3301 West Gonzales Rd., Oxnard.

The song may have ended, but the melody lingers on. -Irving Berlin 

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