Ronald Jerome Henderson

Ronald Jerome “RJ” Henderson, aged 19, passed away on May 8, 2024 at George Washington University Hospital following 7 days in the Intensive Care Unit. He was born on January 11, 2005, at Landspitali Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland, to parents Ronald E. Henderson and Tiaa E. Henderson. RJ attended two years of high school at International School of the Americas in San Antonio, TX, then completed his junior and senior years at Hampton Roads Academy (HRA), in Newport News, VA. After graduation in 2023, he went on to study International Relations at American University in Washington D.C. RJ arrived in this world early at 27 weeks of gestation weighing in at 2.2lbs. His arrival in this world was and is a miracle. He was breathing on his own when he was born and managed to be the only infant to stave off an RSV outbreak in the NICU. As a child in an Air Force family, he lived in 2 countries and 6 different states and attended 5 different child development centers and 7 different schools. RJ accepted Christ as his personal savior in September 2019 and was baptized at True Vine Baptist Church, San Antonio, TX. RJ had a smile that could light up any room, a warm, quiet, and compassionate spirit, and a very quick and witty sense of humor. He was an avid reader and lover of Greek and Roman mythology to include his favorite novel Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan. He loved history and enjoyed participating in Model UN both in San Antonio and Newport News. He was a true scholar-athlete and was gifted with both academic and athletic achievements. He ran track and cross country mostly to maintain conditioning for his true love, soccer. He was also gifted musically with a beautiful bass singing voice and sung in youth choirs at church, school and with the American University chorus. He played the viola, and had his theatrical debut playing Frog in The Frog and Toad Musical at Stopher Elementary School, Louisville, KY. He had many hobbies including watching Marvel movies & Anime, playing video games like, Splatoon and Monster Hunter, playing tabletop games like D&D, and Monopoly Deal with his small circle of friends and family. RJ was a community leader and an active Boy Scout achieving the rank of Life Scout. He also served on the Newport News Mayor’s Youth Commission and as a Virginia Boys’ State Delegate. While RJ was God’s humble servant, he achieved many accomplishments to include National BETA Club Quiz bowl finalist, Prattville Junior High Principal’s Award for Most Outstanding Student, HRA Track coach’s award, and HRA Defensive Soccer Player of the Year. RJ is survived by his immediate family, his parents, Ronald and Tiaa Henderson and younger brother Joshua Henderson. He is also survived by his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous chosen family and friends. Visitation at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive Alexandria, VA, on Friday May 24, 2024, 4-7PM. Funeral Service at Calvary Road Baptist Church, 6811 Beulah St, Alexandria, VA, on Saturday May 25, 2024, 10-11 AM viewing, 11 AM Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, donations made in honor of RJ will be designated for the Bob Woodruff Foundation's Military Children's Mental Health Fund. https://bobwoodrufffoundation.org/military-childrens-mental-health/

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Ronald Jerome Henderson

January 11, 2005 - May 8, 2024