R.J. Hendrix Sr., 88, of Nederland, died Saturday, August 15, 2009 in Conway, Arkansas.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at Broussard’s in Nederland with Dr. L.A. Richardson officiating. Interment will follow with military rites at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 to 8 PM Tuesday at the mortuary.
R.J. married Adine Thompson on July 3, 1948. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corp. for the Strategic Air Depot in Honington, England. His two favorite war memories were, meeting Princess Elizabeth (before she was queen), and hearing the planes taking off for Normandy (at which time he awoke his barrack to alert everyone to the exciting news.) R.J. was an avid baseball fan of the Houston Astros. He coached Nederland Little League Baseball for many years, and played on the POCO Club softball and basketball teams. R.J. was a member and Deacon at Central Gardens Baptist Church. He was a very loving and proud father and grandfather. His family was so very important to him. He has photo albums full of pictures taken in WWII that he developed himself, and was so proud of the photos he shared them with others quite often. R.J. was a member of the Nederland Masonic Lodge where he received his 40 years pin, May of this year. He retired from Union Oil Company in May of 1983 as a pipe fitter. R.J. was born the 5th of 9 children of Bud and Annie Hendrix on June 30, 1921, and at the time of his death, he was the oldest living one. R.J. chaperoned two Boy Scout trips to the Big Bend, earning the 50 Mile Hiking Award each time.
R.J. was preceded in death by his loving wife, Adine. He is survived by his two daughters, Barbara Gilchriest and husband David of Cypress, and Susan Stewart and husband Curtis of Dumas, Arkansas; one son, Robert Jerry Hendrix Jr. and wife Robin of Hallsville; one brother, L.D. Hendrix and wife Lois of Woodville; one sister, Tommie Jean Williams and husband Earl of Honey Island; eight grandchildren, Andy Gilchriest and fiancé’ Angela of Cypress, Jennifer Cline and husband Trinity of Belton, Matthew Gilchriest of Cypress, Collin Stewart of Dallas, Cameron Stewart of College Station, Jessica Dietz and husband David of Houston, Kevin Shaw of Hallsville, R.J. “Trase” Hendrix III of Hallsville and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
