Don graduated from Ballard High School, Ballard, Missouri, in 1949. On September 1, 1950, he enlisted into the United States Air Force. After completing basic training in Texas, he was stationed in New York, Maine and California before spending two years in Alaska. He loved his time in Alaska where he operated heavy equipment. After Alaska he was transferred to Crestview, Florida. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargeant in September 1954.
On March 29, 1953, Don was granted a leave from the service to marry the love of his life, Valda Ferne Murray of Ballard, Missouri. To this union two children were born: Jimme D. Hendrick and Teresa F. (Hendrick) Loehr-Sebert. They lived in Morse, Kansas, for six years before moving to Peculiar, Missouri, where he built their forever home and raised their family.
Don was hard working and dedicated. He worked for General Motors at the Delco-Remy Battery Plant in Olathe, Kansas for 32 years. He made numerous lifelong friends while working there. After retirement he enjoyed attending the GM UAW gatherings and attended one as recent as last month. He loved being out on the farm helping his son, attending Saturday farm sales, raising his cattle, and mowing his yard on his Bad Boy mower, which he did just last month. He enjoyed refurbishing antique John Deere tractors and Wheel Horse mowers.
Faith, family and friends were all very important to Don. He accepted Christ at a young age and belonged to the First Baptist Church of Peculiar. He enjoyed the numerous family gatherings for birthdays and holidays. He loved attending and supporting his children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s school, church and sport activities including football games, band and choir concerts, dance recitals, baseball and softball games, bible drill competitions to name a few. Don made friends wherever he was and enjoyed the camaraderie at the coffee shop while having early morning coffee.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bill Hendrick and Scottie Hendrick; his sisters-in-law, Ginny Hendrick and Linda Hendrick; his sisters, Iris Schuster and Etta Sue Fairman; his brothers-in-law, Eldo Schuster and Melvin Fairman; his son-in-law, Mike Loehr; his granddaughter, Darcy Hendrick; his grandson, Max Sebert.
He is survived by his wife, Ferne, of 71 years; his son, Jimmie Hendrick of Ballard, Missouri; his daughter Teresa Loehr-Sebert and husband Kit of Peculiar, Missouri; his grandsons, Josh Loehr and wife Kristi of Odessa, Missouri, Garrett Sebert and fiancé Laramie of Springfield, Missouri; his granddaughters, Missy Rimel and husband Scott of Peculiar, Missouri, Kaitlin Jackson and Dustin of Urich, Missouri; his great grandsons, Easton Jackson and Kenny Rimel; his great granddaughters, Teagan Loehr, Jordyn Loehr, Emersyn Loehr, Michaela Karl, Zoe Bennett and husband Logan; first cousins, Lee Meyer and wife Joyce of Independence, Missouri, and Gerald Meyer and wife Chris of Independence, Missouri. There are many nieces and nephews, neighbors, good friends from Ballard, Peculiar and Delco that Don treasured having in his life.
Don will truly be missed by all and will live in our hearts forever.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Peculiar 216 E Broadway St., Peculiar, Missouri 64078. Visitation from 1-2:00 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. The inurnment will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri with military honors.
Donations may be made to Ascend Hospice 783 NE Anderson Ln, Lee's Summit, MO 64064 or First Baptist Church of Peculiar 216 E Broadway St, Peculiar, MO 64078.
Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278
