Otis Henson

A Memorial Service will be held March 31, 2022 at 1:00 pm in the Sunrise Chapel at Walters Funeral Home for Otis Lee Henson, 84, who passed away March 1, 2022 at his residence. Father Steve LeBlanc of St. Basil Catholic Church will officiate the service. Lectors will be Garrett LaBorde and Germain Comeaux. Inurnment will follow at St. Ann Cemetery in Youngsville.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Otterstatter Henson of Broussard; two sons, Mark (Cheryll) Henson of Ruidoso, NM and  Russell (Frances) Henson of St. Martinville; one step-son, Garrett (Jennifer) LaBorde of Pensacola, FL; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Esther and Joe Henson; and two children, Jolynn and Zachary Henson.
Otis was a native of Pecos, TX and resident of the Lafayette area since 1968. He graduated from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX in 1964, where he was a member of the International Honors Society, Kappa Delta Pi.
Upon graduation he briefly worked in education, but his true passion in life was flying. He loved being up in the clouds. He was flying solo at 14 years old, and received his pilot's license at 18. During his summers in college he'd crop dust, and thus began his aviation career spanning five decades.
Otis worked for PHI, Airlog, Mobil Oil Aviation and ERA Helicopter prior to his retirement in 2011. He flew both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. He was well known in the oil and gas industry for his expertise and stamina, having flown for 43 years in the Gulf of Mexico.
Otis was also a 32 Degree Freemason, belonging to the Hugh M. Daspit Grand Lodge in St. Martinville.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Henson, Russell Henson, and Garrett LaBorde.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 31 from 10:00 am until time of service. A rosary will be prayed at 12:15 pm led by Tim Richard.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Otis' name to Hospice of Acadiana at www.hospiceacadiana.com/donate.

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