Alton "Jack" Jackson Hendrick

August 21, 1933 – November 25, 2023

Alton Jackson Hendrick, better known as Jack, of Plano, TX passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023 surrounded by loved ones following a brief illness, at 90 years of age. A celebration of his life will take place after the holidays.

Jack was born in Wichita Falls, TX on August 21, 1933 to Mary and Alton Hendrick. Jack was raised in the Texas Panhandle along with his younger sister, Jessie, and had many friends growing up and mischievous adventures along the way.

Jack graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1951, where he was affectionately known as “Slim”, and participated in several school activities and athletics. Jack went on to attend Texas A&M University and held various leadership positions in both student clubs and in the Corps of Cadets. Upon graduating from Texas A&M in 1955, Jack was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, beginning a twenty-two year career of distinguished service to his country, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Jack met the love of his life, Margaret, on a blind date while stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV…and the rest is history! Jack and Margaret married on April 19, 1957 in Las Vegas and enjoyed fifty-five years of marriage and global adventures, prior to her passing in 2013.

Jack served in a variety of duty stations around the world while in the Air Force. Of note, Jack served as a Minuteman Missile Command Officer during the Cold War, and also had the honor of serving as a senior staff member at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium.

Along the way, Jack and Margaret’s four children, Becky, Cathy, David and Daniel, enjoyed the ride of a lifetime as Air Force “brats” living around the world, attending international schools, camping throughout Europe, and gaining diverse cultural perspectives. Margaret and Jack created beautiful homes in seven states, Spain and Belgium. There was never an adventure or move too big for their family!

Upon retiring from the Air Force, Jack began a second career in the defense industry working for Rockwell International in Newport Beach, CA; Atlanta, GA; and Richardson, TX. Upon full retirement, Jack and Margaret had an unending love of travel and adventure which took them around the globe. Many of their favorite excursions came by way of the Road Scholar program, as well as numerous trips and journeys around the world and at sea. In particular, Jack enjoyed studying and visiting Iceland, where Margaret’s roots began.

Jack had many hobbies spanning golf, wood work, photography, genealogy, studying military history, and working a good cross word puzzle. Of note, he could rarely defeat the many squirrels that would attack his intricate bird feeders! Jack was an avid sports fan, particularly of the Texas Aggies, Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. Jack experienced great joy in watching the Rangers win their first World Series!

Jack was the perfect example of a gentlemen and will be remembered for his dignity and unrelenting love and devotion to family. Most of all, Jack was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many including his dog Verdell.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife Margaret O. Hendrick; daughter Catherine A. Frei; parents Mary and Alton Hendrick; sister Jessie H. Hendrick; and son-in-law Carl W. Crawford. Jack is survived by his daughter Rebecca O. (Becky) Crawford of Edwards, CO; son David A. Hendrick and wife Jo of Dallas, TX; son Daniel P. Hendrick and wife Shannon of Plano, TX; son-in-law Brian J. Frei of Riverside, CA; grandson Reed J. Garber and wife Audrey of Houston, TX; grandsons Robert A. Hendrick, Mark J. Hendrick and John D. Hendrick of Dallas, TX; and great granddaughter Charlotte Rose Garber of Houston, TX

Jack will be laid to rest with his wife Margaret, and daughter Catherine, at the Baccus Cemetery in Plano, TX. A private family memorial service is planned following the holidays.

The family would like to thank the staff at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Dallas for their kind and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jack’s name may be made to the T. Boone Pickens Faith Presbyterian Hospice Caring Fund in Dallas, TX