James Clell Henson, "Clell", 83, passed away in Pierce County
Clell was born in 1941 Chehalis Washington. He grew up in Pe Ell, and later graduated high school in Mount Vernon, Washington. Go Bulldogs! He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Phys.Ed. at Pacific Lutheran University. Go Lutes!
Clell loved sports and played many but particularly  favored basketball and waterskiing the most. Clell  played and enjoyed sports into adulthood through various associations through work or officiating. He was part of the Washington State Officiating Association and WSRA. He refereed high school basketball most of his life until 2022. He was always a joker and loved socializing with people, be they friends or strangers.
He was a veteran of the US Army. After basic training, he trained and then served with the Military Police in Okinawa, Japan.
He joined the Washington State Patrol police academy directly out of the military, graduated, received his commission and served 27 years in the Washington State Patrol (WSP). This included assignments with detachments in South King County, Nisqually, Tacoma and Forks. This included several years with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, presenting Drug & Alcohol Awareness multi-Image Programs in many high schools all over Washington State.
He married in 1967 and had 6 children, lived in Lakewood, Washington and attending his local church for many years.
He retired from the Washington State Patrol in 1993 and remarried, living in Port Angeles, Washington until early 2023.
He was a member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church and enjoyed many friendships in the Port Angeles Community.
He spent his retirement days running Lake Pleasant grocery/deli until 2019, officiating basketball games, substitute teaching, and lastly working for Port Security for the Port of Port Angeles.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wives and baby girl. He is survived by his 5 children, 7 grandchildren, sister and many other family and friends.
Memorial service will be held at 11:30am, September 21, 2024 at the Lakewood Elks Lodge in Pierce County. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute and the Dementia Society of America.