Gary Alec Henderson, a beloved landscape architect and the owner of New Acre Landscaping, passed away on a snowy sunny morning at home on November 29, 2023, at the age of 81, holding hands with family. He was born on January 10, 1942, in Toronto, Ontario, to his late parents, Grant Alexander Henderson and Mary Lorraine (Blair).

Gary grew up the eldest of 10 children.  He had additional responsibility with a paper route at an early age of 12. He built the route up and later divided it up with his siblings when he took a job at a local greenhouse two years later for more money – 50 cents an hour!  His thoughtfulness for others was innate. One early example of this was when he saved his money and bought his mother her first, and much needed, electric clothes dryer when he was only 14 years old. After High School, Gary's love for the outdoors and plants led him to get his agricultural design degree from Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. After graduation, the local paper published his picture and titled it 'Brampton Man Awarded All but One NPC Prizes'. Gary graduated Magna cum laude, earned the Alumni Award, the William Holmes Memorial for agricultural awards and awards for General Proficiency, Landscape Art & Botany, and lastly the Botany Medal.  He moved to the United States in 1963, starting his career at Judson Nursery and became a citizen a few years later. Gary was part of the opening team of Plant City with Outdoor Market, and years later was hired at Sautter's Floral & Greenhouse & Landscaping. After 17 years of transforming many homes and businesses in the surrounding communities, he had a short spell at Linton's Landscaping before realizing his dream and opened his own business, New Acre Landscaping, in 1989.  With his company tagline, 'From Conception to Completion', he continued his attention to detail, creativity and made clients happy for 24 more years before starting the retirement process in 2013.   Amongst many highlights and job sites, he felt blessed to be a part of the Essenhaus landscape vision and enjoyed being part of the first seven floral quilts in the community with the debut at Essenhaus in 2007, with the largest of the gardens, measuring 3,142 square feet. He was later asked by the Elkhart Parks Department to participate in the restoration project for the Krider "World's Fair" Garden, dedicated in 1995. In retirement, Gary kept plenty busy using his honed skills with "Bobbie", his bobcat, and renovated farmland into a dream homestead.

Gary was a hard worker and led by example. He wouldn't ask anyone to do something he wasn't willing to do or did himself and was always the calm and voice of reason in difficult times. He was often found working by sunup and long after dark, using his truck lights to finish up before coming home to warm up dinner in time to watch The Tonight Show. His crew often teased that Gary's idea of putting in a half-day was 12 hours. His love for the Lord, his family, and his career in landscaping, along with his gentle, honest, and kind nature, led to his reputation as a perfect gentleman. He touched the lives of many with his caring and patient nature, originality, commitment and passion for those details, details, details. He leaves behind a legacy of love and deep respect. Gary's green thumb and twinkly blue eyes won the heart of his childhood sweetheart, Linda Ruth (Wood) Henderson, and together for 59 years, they shared a life filled with love and companionship, and ran the company together. His dedication to his family was unwavering. His loving children survive Gary; Stephana (Tim) Cunningham, Sam (Natalie) Henderson, True (Charlie) Sproull, Spring (Mark) Allec, Danielia (Rick) Mateja, Harmon (Natalie Elkan) Henderson, and Gabriella (Alvin Hernandez) Henderson. There are a thousand things he taught them, like how to love others well, pray on your knees, never skip dessert, tap your foot to a good song, always give a firm handshake, linger long at the table, and make whoever you're with feel like the most important person in the world. He was slow to speak and quick to listen, so when he did speak, people listened. Gary, always a big kid at heart, was a proud grandfather to T Grant, Incala, Ella, Alec, Colin, Gracie, Isabella, Danek, Lelaina, Landon, Rachael, and Dermot. His role as grandfather "Ghee" brought him immense joy and pride and he was their biggest fan. Ghee was the first to show how playing in rain puddles is fun, skipping rocks takes practice and patience, and saving earth worms on the sidewalk is important for the soil. He was sure to point out not to pick the pretty flowers; they should be left to be beautiful for another day. These treasured early life lessons pointed to Ghee's admiration of God's beautiful creations, something he always took seriously.

Among his siblings, Gary was the cherished eldest brother. He is survived by Ann Hoover, Paul Henderson, Kathryn Henderson, Joy Wheeler, Mary Ruth Barton, Rosie (Gary) O'Brien, Stan (Kim) Henderson, and Kath Thomas. He also leaves behind sister-in laws: Rose (Hal) Miller and Judy (John) Henderson and dear family friend, Bob Whitney, along with numerous nieces and nephews: Roger, Michal, Chessa, John, Johan, Roger, Anjuli, Josh, Dan, Rachel, Sam, Michael, Juliana, Glen, Keith, Dave, Eric, Tom, David, Rebekah, Mike, Matt, Stephanie, Melanie, Emily, Noah, Alex, and Mackenzie. Gary's great nieces and great nephews were also sources of joy in his life and always wanted to hear the latest news about Riley, Peyton, Melia, Makena, Veda, Rowen, Ava, Nolan, Paige, Isaac, Jude, Abigail, Sofia, Justin, Emily, Elin, Nolan, Abby, Ayla, Kingsleigh, Raleigh, Charlie, Finn, Sam, Ava, Bella, Charlie, Colton, Ben, Lainey, Nova, Cali, Alexis, Ava,  Jacqueline, and Julia. Gary was predeceased by his brother, Johnny Q; his brothers-in-law: George Barton, John Hoover, and Le Wheeler; his sister-in-law, Leslie; his niece, Sharon; and great niece, Haley. Having a large family meant the world to Gary, and his family reciprocated that unquestionable adoration in kind. Those who had the privilege of knowing him will forever cherish the grace and integrity with which he lived, as well as all his beautiful landscape transformations he has touched and left behind for all.

A gathering to celebrate Gary's life will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Essenhaus Inn & Conference Center, 240 US-20 Middlebury, Indiana, 1:30pm-4:30pm & 6:30pm-8pm. Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Gary (Ghee) with some dessert and sharing memories over coffee and cider.  Wear your favorite flannel and jeans, in honor of Gary's fondest fashion.  He is deeply missed, but forever remembered.

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart, Indiana is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Gary selected the following memorial contribution options:

Krider Gardens – Gary attended the Krider "World's Fair" Gardens 90th anniversary in June. Make checks out to: Middlebury Parks Dept. memo line: Krider Gardens; Mail check to: Middlebury Parks Dept. 418 N. Main St, Middlebury, IN 46540; Call 571.825.1499.

Goshen Home Care & Hospice – Gary wanted to be sure to give the Hospice team a perfect score! Call: 574.3645.2701;  online: Goshenhealth.com/forms/foundation-form; or Mail check to: Goshen Health Foundation, P.O. Box 139, Goshen, IN 46527; Include your name/address, In memory of Gary Henderson, the Hospice program

Arbor Day Foundation – Gary had been a long-time contributor. Call: 888.448.7337; online Arborday.org > Donations help fund: reforestation, wildfire recovery, habitat restoration, cleaning rivers & streams, carbon sequestration.

Krider
418 N Main St, Middlebury IN 46540
Tel: 1-574-825-1499
Web: https://middleburyin.com/departments/parks_and_trails/krider_s_world_fair_garden_park.php

Mail envelope to the Middlebury Parks Department.
For checks: Make out to Middlebury Parks Department and write in memo line "Krider Garden".

Goshen Home Care & Hospice
PO Box 139, Goshen IN 46527
Tel: 1-574-364-2700
Web: http://Goshenhealth.com/forms/foundation-form

Arbor Day Foundation
211 N 12th St, Lincoln NE 68508
Tel: 1-888-448-7337
Web: https://shop.arborday.org/campaign/general-donation/give