Donald S. Hendricks

Donald Sanford Hendricks was born October 12, 1936 in Steubenville, Ohio and passed away on March 8, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He loved calling himself a Buckeye and a "Hoopie". His parents, Sanford and Elfrieda, raised him in Weirton, West Virginia. Don was always quick to express his great love and respect for them and his appreciation of being raised in a strong, Christian home. He loved telling stories about his upbringing. When he was just a toddler his panicking mother had to get him out of a pig pen where he was playing with the piglets. There was a time when his "Pappy" had to pull him off of the vines over the river - where he was forbidden to go. His dad threatened him with a willow switch the whole way home.

Don and Joan married in 1991. Don has three children: Mike and his wife, Nancy; Mark and his partner, Spring; and daughter, Jill. Don shared Joan's three children: Steve and his wife, Amalia; Greg and his fiancée Karin; Tammy and her partner, Jim. There are twelve grandchildren and one great grand-daughter.

His passion for tennis lasted until his 80's - when both knees were replaced. Motorcycling he enjoyed with family and friends but Joan refused to ride with him. His love of photography has recorded many special times and his family now relives them through hundreds (if not thousands) of pictures.

Don had a long career of government service and was involved with various agencies. He enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school which is how he came to Albuquerque. He taught at the FAA Academy, worked at NSA, and ended his career as Director of Intelligence at the Philips Lab, KAFB.

After retiring Joan and Don found a log cabin near Mancos, Colorado where they spent twenty wonderful years camping, hiking and Jeeping in the mountains. A close church family was a big part of their lives and they enjoyed singing in the choir.

Don will be remembered most for his service to others. He was the co-founder of Action Civitan and especially enjoyed working with Special Olympics. An honor for Don in his later years (2018) was being asked to escort Joe Konyndyk - a beloved neighbor and WWII veteran - back east for a fundraiser for The Landing Craft Museum.

Anyone Don met became his friend. He would strike up conversations with a server, a clerk in a line, or the persons in line with him! He made everyone feel important and noticed the ones that weren't necessarily in the 'front'. Everyone he met he connected with at some level. It would be impossible to list all of the people who were either touched by him or that he admired enough to mention to all of us.

A celebration of Don's life will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, 11:00 am at FRENCH - Wyoming. If you have memories you would like to share at the service please contact Joan.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Habitat for Humanity.