Beloved Father-in-Law
Eric Thomas Hendrix

Eric was the best Father-in-Law in all the world.  I am very sad about his passing but so thankful for all the wonderful times we had together as a family.  Eric was always cheerful and had the best smile -- just being around him lifted one’s spirits.  Christmas was always extra special and fun.  I remember how Eric always looked forward to eating all the Christmas goodies sent to him by various family members and drinking homemade Glogg.  When I think of Eric, it is recalling how he loved doing all sorts of puzzles, playing cards, dominoes, and no one could say grace like Eric.

With both of my parents gone, Eric and Jeanne helped fill that void in so many ways through their love, kindness, and generosity.  Eric did the most amazing thing for me personally.  He found my father’s side of the family through Ancestry.com and gave all the information to me as a Christmas gift one year.  There are no words to express how much that meant to me because after my father had passed away, there was very little information about his family and no way of letting them know he was gone.  Eric’s many hours of research, eventually led to a miraculous meeting with one of my cousins which would never have happened if it were not for Eric.  I will be forever grateful that Eric gave so much of his time to help me and giving me the most amazing gift I have ever received.

I will miss him so much!
All my love to you Eric!
Roxy


Eric was nine years older - the older brother I looked up to.  He shaped my early tastes in a lot of things, music and cars among them.  But he was also an amazing teacher, and what he taught was: if it was in the realm of human endeavor, you should be able to figure it out, and if you could figure it out, you could do it.  He machined a working steam engine, modified and re-built cars, designed and built amplifiers and speakers, invented adaptive equipment, designed houses - all successfully but without prior experience or training.  I can never recall him being defeated by a challenge.  His problem-solving determination has been the basis of my personal life and my professional career.
He was also one of the funniest, most patient people I have ever known.  I miss him terribly.

Although I've known my cousin Eric my whole life, it was as an adult that I really got to know Eric and Jeanne when they helped us transition our daughter Elizabeth to college and become an East Coaster (maybe too well). They opened their home and hearts to a homesick California girl during her Freshman year -- looking after her on weekends, doing laundry, and sending her off with food and hugs.  They also let her parents (who probably weren't as calm as they claimed) stay with them whenever we came to visit her.

It was during these years that we got to know Eric and Jeanne as a couple. And we came to know Eric as a wonderful man - witty, kind and thoughtful. We loved his unique laugh/chuckle which always got us to smile. He faced life's challenges with such grace and courage. We will miss game nights, sorting through logistical puzzles and just plain conversation.  He always had an interesting take on things - big and small.

We will deeply miss him.  Love, Lynn & Laurel Thorpe

We mourn the loss of a great man, Eric Hendrix. Eric was a kind and patient man always willing to help me figure something out. I called on Eric a lot with questions on something electrical, the computer anything mechanical really. Just a couple weeks ago, we were talking at home and all agreed he was the smartest person we knew. We worked many projects together in Virginia and Myrtle Beach and I learned a lot from him. The basement build-out projects, installing new lights, taking down a tree, if you needed help, he was there. If he said it would work, it did.

We really enjoyed our time visiting in Myrtle, always welcoming. Eric was never a ‘know it all’, but he he knew about a lot things. We had talks on all kinds of subjects. He fascinated me with his knowledge of the world, technology and science. I really enjoyed those conversations. Such a great mind and kind heart. From the Rotunda to Herndon to a beautiful beach home, Aunt J you provided him the opportunity for a wonderful life and I am so happy you found each other. We are all better people for having known Eric. Eric’s impact on our family will live on forever.

Uncle Eric was the smartest man I ever got the pleasure to talk with. He was the best person to just sit and have conversations with, and you always came out of it learning something new. He gave me such a different perspective on life and inspired me to be a better person. Some of my best memories are playing sevens during happy hour at Aunt J’s, and of course doing puzzles until way past my bedtime! I will forever miss and cherish Uncle Eric’s patience and kindness.

Dear Jeanne and family, 
     I’m sad that Eric is gone, but happy he had so many years with you. Even though I didn’t spend much time with him in our adult years I remember his easy smile and genuine interest in those around him. Please accept my sympathy and stay strong during this trying time. 
                                        Fondly, Cheryl Hendrix 

Eric and I were only 18 months apart, the first two of five children.  We were best buddies growing up.  As kids, our mother often dressed us alike for play in jeans and striped T-shirts.  We liked to pretend we were twins.  We shared trips cross county to California, in the back of our parents’ station wagon via Route 66, every summer for years. so many adventures….  Eric loved fast cars, once driving the Utah salt flats in one of his Dodge Chargers, and, while studying in England, learned to fly a glider.

Eric was calm, wise, knowledgeable and hysterically funny.  I relied on him throughout his life for advice on everything from electronics to cars to finances.  He could make anything seem clear.  He had an amazing sense of humor—always delivered deadpan, but with a bit of twinkle in his eye.  

His strength and courage as he dealt with the increasing physical disabilities of his rare form of muscular dystrophy were amazing.  From a cane through Canadian crutches to a power wheelchair, he never let the barriers faced by those with disabilities, from the 60’s through the present, keep him from working and living fully.  He was a quiet man, but tough!  And after his marriage to Jeanne, he had her strength and support for the rest of his life.

In the last few months when travel was impossible, we siblings gathered to “see” each other online every week for a couple of hours.  It was much like when we used to gather at home around the dinner table.  Being able to visit that way recently was a great gift.

Here’s a photo of me and my wonderful brother, Eric, at Rehoboth Beach, DE,  back in the early 60’s.  It’s a favorite photo of mine. 

Hello all - I offer my heart felt deep sadness at the news of Eric's passing. I am thinking of you all and especially Jeanie who has lost a wonderful partner and friend.  I want you to know you are in my heart. 

Dear Jeanne and family,I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you      God Bless, Barbara 

My memories of the Baltimore siblings are from our large family reunions.  I remember all of them having a vast knowledge of a wide range of subjects always eager to engage others and truly listen.   Eric would usually be in the middle of one of those  discussion groups, talking, listening,  and laughing.  He was always very friendly and had a positive attitude.  What was most impressive was the bond that he and Jeanne shared, beautiful and inspiring.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

My heart goes out to all of Eric’s beloved family members. He was blessed to be born into a loving clan and later to surround himself with the love and enduring care of the family he helped shape and form. Distance prevented me from knowing my cousin Eric more deeply, however, on those occasions I had the privilege to hang out with him at family gatherings I was ever in awe of his wry wit, mischievous smile, and, of course, his towering intellect.  May Eric’s memory be a comfort to all who were fortunate enough to know and love him. 

I send you my deepest condolences while holding you in my heart. 
Laura

I am deeply saddened to learn of Eric's passing today.  Eric was one of my "Baltimore" cousins on my Dad's side. His  kind heart  and lively interest in a wide range of topics was part of the soul of who he was. He had the same ready smile as his mother, my Aunt.     Recently, all the Hendrix cousins have been reconnecting. His voice in our family dialog  and seeing him on our online cousin reunion is now a cherished memory. He will be missed. I am sending my condolences to Eric's family.  Eric's spirt will continue to shine through all of those who loved him. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. 
 Thinking of you all and sending our love,
 Janet Hendrix Unfug and Family  

We always thought of Eric as a wonderful brother-in-law and great friend.  He was truly a gentle giant, not only loved by us but an idol of our children and grandchildren as well.  The love and patience he extended to all our family was immense.  We will miss him dearly.  Love Linda and Joe

My Uncle Eric was one of the most patient and kind hearted person that I have ever met and I will forever miss him.  My favorite memories of him are from "happy hour" at my Aunt J's house.  Everyone would sit around the table and eat cheese and crackers and talk about our day and I just loved hearing from him.  Another cherished memory I have of him is playing cards as a family.  He was so smart so he of course always beat us all and was so slick about it, nobody ever saw it coming.  Holidays and other family events definitely won't be the same without him; however, I know he's in a better place and watching over us all. I love you Uncle Eric, I'll see you again someday. 

When I think of Eric, the first word that comes to mind is patience. He was the most patient person I have ever known. My second thought is puzzles! We have such great memories of spending hours assembling those crazy hard puzzles because we just had to get it done before we left for home! Eric/Uncle Eric's kindness and love for our family will forever be missed. 

OBITUARIO

Eric Thomas Hendrix

10 junio, 1948 – 30 agosto, 2020

Lee Funeral Home

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