Stuart Gordon Henderson, age 83, died peacefully Thursday evening, March 25, 2010, at Durham Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Stuart was born in Richmond, VA on September 27, 1926 to the late Jesse and Gladys O'Briant Henderson.

A graduate of Durham High School's Class of 1944, Stuart was employed by Boyce Supply Company of Durham, NC. He then became co-founder of Metalcraft Fabricating Company and later started his own architectural design business, Southeast Plan Service. Stuart's most notable success occurred during the search for a great hot dog, which led to the creation of The Dog House restaurants, founded in 1970, and Stuart's Family Grille of Roxboro, NC. The pinnacle of his creativity, these restaurants have continued to serve the local community for forty years.

His constant love of classical music began as a young violinist, and as a young adult, Stuart formed a desire to study piano and played for many years under the tutelage of Alice C. Hundley. For thirty years, Stuart was an accomplished pilot with expertise in aerobatic flying. In his later years, he developed a love for stained glass and created numerous original masterpieces for family and friends.

Stuart is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Charlotte Doak Henderson of Durham, NC; his two devoted daughters, Joan Henderson Hall (Robert) of Durham; Jessica Henderson Isaacs (Steve) of Raleigh, NC; his grandson, Judson Campbell Whiteside; his brother, Harold David Henderson, also of Durham; his nephew, Brian Rhodes (Gale) and their children, Drew and Caroline, of Durham; and his brother-in-law, Frederic Rhodes of Durham.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Anne Henderson Rhodes. Stuart is also survived by his much-loved sister-in-law, Linda Doak Mallory and her husband, William, of Macon, GA; nephews, David Mallory (Robin), Mark Mallory (Jean) and niece, Melinda Mallory, all of Georgia, and their children.

Durham Herald-Sun, 3/29/2010

Stuart Gordon Henderson, age 83, died peacefully Thursday evening, March 25, 2010, at Durham Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Stuart was born in Richmond, VA on September 27, 1926 to the late Jesse and Gladys O'Briant Henderson.

A graduate of Durham High School's Class of 1944, Stuart was employed by Boyce Supply Company of Durham, NC. He then became co-founder of Metalcraft Fabricating Company and later started his own architectural design business, Southeast Plan Service. Stuart's most notable success occurred during the search for a great hot dog, which led to the creation of The Dog House restaurants, founded in 1970, and Stuart's Family Grille of Roxboro, NC. The pinnacle of his creativity, these restaurants have continued to serve the local community for forty years.

His constant love of classical music began as a young violinist, and as a young adult, Stuart formed a desire to study piano and played for many years under the tutelage of Alice C. Hundley. For thirty years, Stuart was an accomplished pilot with expertise in aerobatic flying. In his later years, he developed a love for stained glass and created numerous original masterpieces for family and friends.

Stuart is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Charlotte Doak Henderson of Durham, NC; his two devoted daughters, Joan Henderson Hall (Robert) of Durham; Jessica Henderson Isaacs (Steve) of Raleigh, NC; his grandson, Judson Campbell Whiteside; his brother, Harold David Henderson, also of Durham; his nephew, Brian Rhodes (Gale) and their children, Drew and Caroline, of Durham; and his brother-in-law, Frederic Rhodes of Durham.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Anne Henderson Rhodes. Stuart is also survived by his much-loved sister-in-law, Linda Doak Mallory and her husband, William, of Macon, GA; nephews, David Mallory (Robin), Mark Mallory (Jean) and niece, Melinda Mallory, all of Georgia, and their children.

Durham Herald-Sun, 3/29/2010