MONTROSE — Eumont Henson, 84, died Jan 12, 2010 at Montrose Memorial Hospital. He was born Sept 2, 1925 at Forrest, N.M. to Eda McCasland and John Wesley Henson, and graduated from Forrest High School in 1945.

Eumont went into the Army’s 24th infantry division from March 1945 – November 1946, and was with the army of occupation in Japan. Upon discharge from the Army, he tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team farm club, played one summer and decided not to make a career of baseball.

The Hensons moved to Monte Vista in 1947. This is where he met Norma Jean Millard, whom he married on Oct 24, 1948. They were married for 61 years. Three children were born to them, Lynda Jean, Marjorie Ann & Robert Udell.

Eumont & Norma managed a rustic guest ranch on Cochetopa pass called the Banana Ranch for several years. Eumont then was a cattle and sheep rancher in the San Luis Valley for 26 years, in partnership with his father and two brothers.

After losing his youngest brother and father, Eumont managed different ranches for several individuals throughout the San Luis Valley, then went to the eastern side of Colorado near Lamar to manage a sheep operation.

Deciding to retire, Eumont and Norma chose the Western Slope and moved to Montrose in 1985 following Rob’s graduation from high school in Wiley, Colo. Eumont, Rob and brother in-law, Bob built a geodesic dome house on Kinikin Road.

Eumont was active in the Independent Order of Oddfellows serving in almost every office. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and playing pinochle with friends. Guiding hunters on elk hunts was a special interest for several years.

His parents; brothers, Ulric and Udell, and daughter, Lynda Jean, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Norma; son, Rob (Misty) their children Mandy, Tyler and Ashlee; daughter, Marjorie (Greg) Tesitor, their children, Craig (Lisa ), Nikki (Mel) Peralta and grandsons Brady and Kyle Schulze; and a number of Nieces and nephews.

The funeral service was Monday, Jan. 18, at the First Baptist Church on Townsend. Burial was in Grand View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402 or First Baptist church, 222 S. Townsend, Montrose, CO. 81401 or Oddfellows Lodge, c/o Norma Henson, Secty., 66503 Kinikin Rd., Montrose, CO 81401.

Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose.