Clyde Edward Henderson II

Clyde Edward Henderson, II, affectionately known as “Eddie”, was born in 1976 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Janis and Clyde Henderson. Baptized at Southern Baptist Missionary Church in 1989, he served as an usher in the Children’s Church. Eddie was an adventurous youngster and teenager who graduated from Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills High School in 1994. He matriculated to Kent State University before moving on to certification at the Ohio Center For Broadcasting in Cleveland. Eddie rose rapidly in broadcasting at Cleveland’s 107.9 FM Hip Hop and R&B station, moving from producing the morning show, to substitute on-air host, then to permanent nighttime host for many years. He took on the life-lasting moniker of “Bigg Eddie Bauer”. His golden voice, sound effects, and love of the hip-hop genre resulted in his having the number one rated show in the Cleveland market for many years. He demonstrated his love for the community by promoting civic responsibility, education, and community affairs. Eddie maintained his commitment to his craft and his desire to put young artists on the proper path as he moved to Dayton’s 102.9 FM, Cincinnati’s WIZF 101.1 FM, and finally to Toledo’s “Blazin Hot” 97.3 FM.

Eddie was active in sports from his youth beginning with T-ball, he later played little league team sports and then high school football and golf. Dabbling in sports as a youth and being his father’s inseparable companion at Bearcats, Reds, and Bengals games was the seed for his love of college and professional basketball and football, and even attending  Monster Truck shows annually with his son. “Bigg Eddie Bauer” was almost synonymous with the Cincinnati Bengals. He treasured his time at regular season home games, Super Bowl XXIII in Miami, and could often be found in a Bengals hat and/or paraphernalia. His favorite teams otherwise were the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (until they played the Xavier Musketeers), Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Above all, everyone always knew that he rooted for his hometown teams by the hats that he sported and his confident pronouncements on radio and in person.

Eddie was also an accomplished MC, rapping under the monikers of Paradox and Bigg Eddie Bauer. He was a founding member of the rap group CHOSEN. He has albums and singles that are available on all streaming platforms and was a guest artist on Cincinnati’s R&B group Debonair’s song “Open Your Eyes,” featuring Qayyim Selassie, David Annett, Marcus Headlam, and André Edwards. Clyde II also used his voice and status to encourage and promote many up-and-coming artists. His near obsession with discovering and developing young talent was epitomized by the Toledo Mud Massacre I in 2013, Mud Massacre II in 2018, and the Mud Renaissance in 2023.

Eddie also managed his daughter Leilani’s rap career (Toledo rap artist “Lani Cakes”) under his company GIMME MY SHINE, LLC. His years of mainstreaming the genre of Hip Hop was recognized by his receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Ohio Hip Hop Music Awards in 2017.

Eddie married Tonya Neal in 2002. They were married for 18 years and their    union resulted in three wonderful children. His fourth wonderful child is parented with his girlfriend, Sierra Bean. He loved, supported, and nurtured all of his children. Music has been a very significant part of their lives as it was his. He could always be found cheering on his children at events, recitals, and performances. Even his youngest daughter demonstrates a love for music. Eddie was a proud papa cheering at his older daughters’ basketball games and coaching his son’s basketball team. He adored all of his children and actively engaged in their interests.

Eddie’s love of community, education, and advocacy led him to become a “legacy” member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He was initiated at Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter in Toledo, Ohio on October 30, 2022. His passion for young people and his ability to communicate with different generations was a perfect fit.

Combining his love of music with business, Eddie completed his undergraduate studies at Phoenix University, where he obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration. Eddie was currently an employee of Erie Home remodeling when he was called home to be with the Lord.

Clyde II was blessed to have a village of many family and friends who helped raise and support him throughout his life. Mom, Dad, Sister, and Eddie were the “original four”, the small seed that nourished his love and growth. Those four will forever be connected.

Eddie leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Janis and Clyde Henderson; his children Ariana Henderson, Leilani Henderson, Clyde Henderson III, and their mother Tonya Henderson (former wife); and Samiyah Henderson and her mother Sierra Bean (girlfriend); his sister Frances Henderson (brother-in-law, Bertin M. Louis, Jr); his nieces Nia Henderson-Louis and Jocelyn Henderson-Louis; ride-or-dies Andre Edwards and Armand Tatum; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, fraternity brothers, friends, and associates.

Eddie leaves this earthly presence to join his maternal grandparents Mary Frances and Monroe Walker, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Beatrice and Saul B. Henderson; and a host of other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to
the Alpha Xi Lambda Scholarship Fund
C/O HOPE Toledo.
Donate — Hope Toledo (hope-toledo.org)

https://www.hope-toledo.org/donate

Donations can also be made via check to:
Alpha Xi Lambda Scholarship Fund
C/O HOPE Toledo
300 Madison Ave, Suite 1400A
Toledo, Ohio 43604

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