Thomas Eugene Henson, Jr.

Thomas (Tommy) Eugene Henson, Jr., 64, of Darlington, SC, passed away on August 26, 2026 at McLeod Hospice surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Shelby, NC on January 27, 1962 to Jane and Thomas Henson, Tommy attended Hunter Huss High School (‘80) before graduating from the Citadel (‘84) and proudly serving in the US Marines in Kaneohe, HI.  After relocating to Darlington, SC to start a family, Tommy held a distinguished career as a banker at Darlington County Bank, and later as financial manager for Morphis Pediatric Group in Hartsville, SC.

Tommy was a highly decorated, “tripled patched” Citadel cadet, winning the Star of the West medal, serving in the elite Junior Sword Drill, and commander of the Summerall Guards. He was appointed Regimental Executive Officer his senior year at the Citadel, the second highest rank that a cadet can attain on campus.  A man of many talents, Tommy was also an excellent athlete.  He played baseball and football at Hunter Huss High School, and for the Citadel his freshman year.  He possessed grit and determination in spades, but was also well-respected for his strong sense of fairness and justice.

After graduating from the Citadel, Tommy enlisted in the Marines and proudly served as a 1st Lieutenant Air Traffic Control Officer and Weapons and Tactics Instructor.  His time in the military was cut short by the decision to return to the Carolinas and start a family.  He landed in Darlington, SC and was a beloved community member and active in many areas of small-town life.

Tommy held a long career as Vice President of Darlington County Bank, where his strong work ethic and willingness to help made lasting impressions on his colleagues and neighbors.  He could also be found working at Sentry Hardware or at the Darlington Raceway, where he assisted handicapped visitors to their seats; he loved to be helpful, and he loved a good project.

Beyond his career, Tommy served as an elder and assistant treasurer at Darlington Presbyterian Church (DPC), where he taught Sunday School and played men’s softball.  Musically and artistically gifted, Tommy played guitar and was an enthusiastic choir member at DPC. He enjoyed drawing with charcoal and oils, and shared these talents with his three daughters. Their time together was often spent drawing, playing softball and tennis, and practicing music. They walked to church together every Sunday, often in playful “drill formation” under Tommy’s command.

Tommy’s many talents and interests also included welding, history, basset hounds, painting, refereeing, and cooking, to name a few.  He loved spending quiet time at home and with his partner of over a decade, Kim.  Tommy could be found most weekends on Kim’s property, working on projects outside and with the animals.  They enjoyed many good years together sharing meals, trips, and big laughs.

His legacy lives on through his family and those who loved him, including his daughters Meghan Murray Henson, Sarah Elizabeth Laws (Graham), and Anna Matheson Stevenson (Jarod); grandchildren Remy Jackson Laws, and Ava Elizabeth Laws; siblings, Kyle Merrill, and Kirklen Henson (Montse); and partner, Kimberly Fortner.  He is preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral service will be held on September 17 at 2 pm at Florence National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation t2t.org.