Jack William Hendrix
March 28, 1936 ~ February 2, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Jack William Hendrix, 76, of Arden went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the John Keever Solace Center. A Buncombe County native, Jack was born on March 28, 1936. He was the son of the late Julia Genevieve and Roy Wray Hendrix. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Darby Adair O'Brien and his brother, Marvin Wade Hendrix.
After graduating from Oakley High School in 1954, Jack attended Western Carolina University where he graduated in 1958 with a BS in Education. Jack was an outstanding athlete and served as co-captain of the football team. He was also voted MVP for the team his senior year. He remained a Catamount fan throughout his life. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Okinawa.
Jack began his teaching and coaching career in 1962 at TC Roberson High School where he coached baseball, football and JV basketball. He remained in the Buncombe County school system for over 30 years as a Driver's Education teacher and Driver's Education Coordinator.
Those who survive to cherish memories of Jack are his wife of 53 years Jean Bridges Hendrix and two daughters, Sandy Austin (Jim) of Asheville, Kelly O'Brien (John) of Greer, S.C., four grandchildren Delaney O'Brien, Brooks O'Brien, Brody O'Brien, and Aubrey Austin. Also surviving are his sister, Betty Osteen (William) of Weaverville, brother, Jim Hendrix (Pat) of Asheville, sister-in-law, Bette Overman (friend Harry Wolfe) of Fletcher, and brother-in-law Robert Bridges (Norma) of Hendersonville. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Fondly known as "Happy Jack" by his students, Jack delighted them with his limited musical talents by singing and playing the guitar at school pep rallies, while on trips to sporting events on activity buses, and even broadcasting over the radio of the TCR driving range.
In his later years, Jack truly considered his precious grandchildren the love of his life. He regularly attended any event in which his grandchildren were participating including ball games, swim meets, school events and vacations. Friends and family considered Jack's home an open door to enjoy ball games, meals, holidays, or simply visiting on the front porch with a cup of coffee.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at Biltmore Baptist Church with Pastor Noel Hendrix and Reverend Harold Savell officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Churchyard. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 PM on Tuesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored to accept donations in Jack's memory to the Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806 (www.eblencharities.org). You may also consider a donation to the Darby O'Brien Charity Foundation at any Wells Fargo Bank (Account #1867163865).
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
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Dear Jean and family:
Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Remember that God’s grace is sufficient in all things..even death. I will have more to say on Tuesday.
God go with you all in the days ahead.
Tommy and Jessie Koontz
Thinking of you and praying that God’s blessings will be showered upon you throughout your eternal days in Heaven.
‘I thank my God everytime I remember You.’ Philippians 4:19
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Dear Jean and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time. My life was blessed to have had Jack as a teacher and friend.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God’ Ephesians 2:8-9
How many times have I heard you, from memory, quote this. Now, face to face, you can praise your Savior for for this grace.
Jack, my life, as have countless others, been made better, simply because you, my dear friend, have touched it.
We attend church with Kelly and John, and are praying for your family during this difficult time.
Thank you Mr. Hendrix – football practice – you were there.Down at Sanley’s grill- you were there.Down the hall during school-you were there.There are people in your life that seem to enrich and support your life just by being there. Mr. Hendrix you are one of those people. Thank-you.Chuck Durrant
Rest in peace, dear Jack. You were a great friend for a long time. Jeanie, Sandy,and Kelly we share your sorrow and hope you find solace in knowing your friends are with you.
Jean you and your family are in my prayers.I am very sorry for your loss.
Mrs. Hendrix and Family,
Being a 1966 graduate of TC, those four years from 1962 were fun high school years. Paula and I would go to the school office to count the lunch money in our 11th and 12th grade years. Every day Mr. Hendrix would come in and keep us entertained. Driver’s Ed with him was truly an experience for him and those he bravely taught. After high school if I saw him out, he was always the Mr. Hendrix that I was so fond of as a mentor and friend. I send my prayers to his family and may God carry you through this difficult time.
Sandra (Brown) Penley
Sandy & Family,
I’m so very sorry for your deep loss. I pray that cherished memories help to sustain you during this tragic time.
I have many memories of Coach Hendrix at TCR. All of the Football and Baseball bus rides and all of the practices. He taught me alot most of which I did not realize until after my HS career. He was a great Coach but a Better man. I am blessed to have had Jack Hendrix as my Coach.
I have many memories of Coach Hendrix at TCR. All of the Football and Baseball bus rides and all of the practices. He taught me alot most of which I did not realize until after my HS career. He was a great Coach but a Better man. I am blessed to have had Jack Hendrix as my Coach.
Mrs. Hendix, I recall ever having the pleasure of meeting you or Jack, but I know how amazing he was through knowing your beautiful daughter Sandy. She epitomizes grace under pressure, she is loved by all because she is not only beautiful on the outside, she is beautiful on the inside. What a wonderful reflection of you and your husband! and in the end aren’t these living tributes the things that endure.
Mrs. Hendrix and family sorry for your loss Jack was a great man.
Jean and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. We have fond memories of Jack at TC Roberson. When our girls were taking Driver’s Ed. we really admired his patience and love for all of his students. I think you you often Jean, and miss our times when you were working with teacher evaluation at C.C. Bell. We are praying for you.
Jean, you guys are in my thoughts and prayers. I cant help thinking that him and Daddy are back together again. Cruising the streets of heaven instead of Oakley and Cullowhee. Maybe they wont get in to much trouble.
Some of my best high school memories are of classes with Jack Hendrix. What a wonderful person and teacher. Class of 66. Thanks, Jack
Fond memories from school and through Oakley Baptist Church and Jack’s Mother & Dad. Jack was a Christian example to all and a blessing to be around. He will be greatly missed, but is now welcomed by the other members of his wonderful family. Our prayers are with you for God’s comfort and peace.
Love, Charles & Betty Henn
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family Jean. As I have said many times, Coach Hendrix was a great inspiration to me in my years at TC Roberson as well as mine and Joanne’s visits with you in our recent years. Coach will be dearly missed. Love, Dan and Joanne Kiser.
Dear Jean, Kelly and Sandy,
We were deeply saddened to hear about Jack. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love, George and Jane Kramer
Jean and family so sorry for your loss I am sure Jack was a great teacher and his students loved him. He was a great football player at WCU and great person. We love you and will be remembering you in our prayers, your friend, Linda H. Collins
Jean, Sandy and Kelly,
I have so many great memories of your dad at Stanley’s with the gang and of course at school. He sat a great example for everyone. I know this has been a rough time for your family but please remember His grace is sufficient.
Love, light and prayers to you. Mr. Hendrix touched so many lives and will be missed by all.
~Polly Kiser
Ron & Ann Kiser Fagan
Love, light and prayers to you. Mr. Hendrix touched so many lives and will be missed by all.
~Polly Kiser
Ron & Ann Kiser Fagan
Being friends for so many years, I have so many wonderful memories of Jack and his family. God Speed, Jack.
Martha
Mrs Hendrix, Sandy,Kelly I am so sorry for your loss. He was a good man and I know nothing really helps right now. You are in my prayers.
Mr. Hendrix as he was known to me was my Driver’s Education teacher and I just adored him. Lord only knows how he put up with us all but thank goodness he did. We will miss you Mr. Hendrix.
Susan Lambert
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Jack. He was truly a wonderful person. Mack often talked about the good times they had together. He will be missed.
Mack and Jeanne Bowman
Mr. Hendrix was a great teacher and a wonderful man. I ran into him many times years after school and he always remembered me. He will always be thought of with warm thoughts and always respect. class of ’66 Judy Branks Turner
Coach Hendrix will always be a great memory of my days at TCR.
My prayers and sympathy to the Hendrix family. Gene Bowman Class of ’68’.
Dear Jean,
Maybe you will remember us from WCU. Dwight played baseball with Jack, and I was on the May Court with you. I also taught with Sandy at Asheville Middle School. Our deepest sympathy is extended to you and your family at ths time. Jack was a fine man and will be missed by all those that knew him. We, too, have many fond memories of our college years together. May God bless you all.
Jean, Sandy and Kelly –
I think back to the days of my in-car on-the-road driver’s ed with Jack and have to smile. I never drive down Lexington Ave that I don’t think of the lesson he taught me about a particular intersection that had both a stop sign AND a traffic light. Always wondered how many students he shared that same lesson with.
Then a few years later I was able to spend a couple more years with Jack when I taught with him at Roberson. Just as he had taught me valuable lessons in the car, he taught me numerous lessons about being an educator.
Thank you for sharing him with me and so many others. I will always remember him and how much he loved his family – yet had such a good sense of humor. May God’s Angels surround all of you in these days with their love and care…
Jean, Sandy, and Kelly,
I am saddened for your loss. Hopefully time and the wonderful memories you have all made together will ease the pain. I will always remember Jack’s smile and some of the times in the gym when he had his banjo or guitar and life seemed like Roberson was a great big family. I am thankful for all the support your family gave me during my years at Roberson. I frequently think of all of you when I drive by Oak Park. While we trust in the Lord it is still hard to carry the pain of separation. I know that you have all been through a lot in the past few months and I pray that our Saviors loving arms will hold you tight.
Carole Crossman Ball
In prayer and love. My heart is with you.
Lee and I are so sorry to learn of Jack’s passing. He was such a good friend. Jack did so much to help so many. He will be missed and we are thinking of Jack’s family.
He was a outstanding man in our school days. A drivers ed. teacher an a friend. Also will never forget him He is our HERO. He saved our nephews life (Aaron Jackson)in a car wreck at T. C. Roberson many years ago. In school it was Mr. Hendrix you will never be forgotten
Mrs. Hendrix and Family,
Coach was not only a teacher and coach to me he was a ‘FRIEND’.I learned so much from Him on and off the field!
Charlie Allen (Class of 1966)
May God’s comfort guide you through the sad times that your family has faced in the recent months. My deepest condolences and prayers are with you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Teresa Parris, Don and Marie Pittillo
Our prayers go out to Family. Coach Hendrix was a good man to look up to, he was tough on you in sports but he was preparing us for what was ahead of us. Loved to listen to him sing and play guitar.I have good memories that will always be with me. Coach was always happy and fun to be around, going to miss you. You are with God now and all is good.
Bill and Ruth Wilson-Phillips
Our sympathy to all of the Hendrix family. I had the honor of learning how to drive under Jack’s instruction and remember him from high school days and then met him again through his neice, Keisha Hendrix Gilroy. He leaves a wonderful legacy and family behind him. May he rest in peace.
My prayers are with you all. I never go down Hendersonville Rd. where Stanley’s Grill was that I don’t think of him & Mr. Baldwin. I worked there for several years during school. Love Mr. Hendrix & his beautiful family. He will be missed.
Anne and Family,
Tom and I want to extend to you our deepest sympathy. We have memories from WCU that will remain with us. May God grant you comfort, peace and strength. Our Love to You.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I am praying for some comfort and peace for you and your family. I will be thinking of you during these difficult days.
I was lucky enough to play golf and ride in the cart with Jack at Sandy and Jim’s wedding. I say ‘lucky’ as he was admittedly not a fan of the game. I learned much about him that day and cherish that memory tremendously. People like him don’t come around often in life, but those who knew him are that much better off for having him be part of thier lives even for the briefest of moments.
I have very fond memories of Coach Hendrix from Driver’s Ed at T.C. Roberson. He had such a great sense of humor and had to have nerves of steel!! I know that many people whom he taught feel the same. My thoughts and Prayers are with you. Class of 1976
I am just aware of the loss of Coach Hendrix. I got to know him when he came to Owen after I first got there. He always knew what was going on with the team and we would talk football or other stuff that always made me feel good. When he got around Jim Levine and Doc Davidson there were storys a flying and a lot of laughter. Bottom line he made a difference in a lot of peoples lives and he will be missed.
Jean,I had very recently leaned of Jack’s declining health and was sad to see in the paper today of his death. May your memories overshadow your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Ps. 116:15 Bette and Don Kitt
Sandy, My thoughts and prayers are again with you and your family.
We were saddened to hear of the death of our old friend, Jack. Our sincere sympathy to Jean and family. He will be missed by many who had the pleasure of knowing him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lane and Gail Simpson
Mrs. Hendrix, Sandy, Kelly and Family… The Roberson Community has truly lost one of their finest. He had the most cheerful, smiling nature. The characteristic that most impressed me “Coach Hendrix always treated everyone the same”. He totally ignored if you were athletic, rich, popular, beautiful; he always greeted each individual with enthusiasm that left one with the feeling of actually being significant in this world. Gary, Gordon and I were looking thru some old football clippings and came across where our Dad and Coach Hendrix were listed together on The Asheville-Citizen Times All WNC Team. I brought it to school and one might think of a boastful, vain moment but he just smiled in his humble way `n said those were wonderful days!!
The months ahead will be different for you; we lost our Mom recently. And for very close knit families; the emotional loss is renewed when one of our friends travels down the same path. Our thoughts are with you at this time Donna Ball
Bob fondly remembers his years playing football under Happy Jack, and more than once I had the pleasure of taking Coach to Stanley’s Grill for coffee before driver’s ed! I know he touched so many of us Roberson kids over his many years of service and we hope this brings some joy during this hard time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and may God bless you all.