The Family of Fitz Jeral, “Jerry”, Hendricks with broken hearts announce his peaceful passing from his life here on earth into the Loving Arms of the Lord on Wednesday, October 16th in Conroe, Texas. He was 93 years ‘young’ and lived an active, full life residing in Montgomery, Texas. He is survived by the love of his life and mother of his 6 children, Kunegunda, “Connie”, (Reisner), 87.
Fitz was born in Haynesville, Louisiana on August 10, 1931, to Samuel Dewey and Lady Mae (Estis) Hendricks, who preceded him in death.
He was also preceded in death by a special Aunt & Uncle, Iva & Bill Estis, who raised him and his two sisters and brother after the deaths of their parents when Fitz was a young boy. They were raised in New Iberia, Louisiana with their five cousins.
Fitz joined the Army at the young age of 15 where he served two years, then decided to enlist again after spending a few months at home in New Iberia. After he enlisted again the Korean War started and he was sent to Korea where he served as a Tank Gunner Sargent until the end of the war and completed his service in 1953.
After the war ended while he was still enlisted and was home on leave with his buddy, he attended a Knights of Columbus bazaar and barbeque with that buddy, Gene Grable and his wife, Patsy, on October 4th,1952, when he spotted a pretty girl who was there with her parents. He winked at her from across the way, and the rest is the history of his 71 year marriage to that girl, Connie. (They still celebrated the day they met every year, even this year.) Fitz and Connie were married six months later on April 4, 1953, with Gene and Patsy serving as the best man and maid of honor.
After their honeymoon to Galveston, Texas, Fitz finished his next few months of service in the Army before returning home to his new wife in Houston, Texas.
They became lifelong friends with Gene & Patsy Grable and raised their families together in Houston, where Fitz worked at Sheffield Steel/Armco Steel. Fitz & Connie moved their family to Conroe, Texas in 1969, and in 1983 he took an early retirement at the age of 52. Not one to sit still for very long he became a mail carrier with the Conroe Post Office until his retirement in 2006.
He always raised a big vegetable garden, and they became even bigger once they moved from Houston to Conroe, sometimes having 2 large gardens growing on different sides of the property, along with fruit trees, roses and other beautiful flowers and plants. He loved having bird feeders and birdhouses, especially for the bluebirds. He shared his garden with family and friends because he always planted more than the family could eat and more than could be canned. He took pride in his yard, always kept it looking like a park with all the flowers and plants he loved to grow and enjoyed watching the variety of birds that visited. He mowed and trimmed his own yard with his riding mowers and tractors, even though he turned 93 in August.
He started off each day having coffee with his wife and their beloved dogs on the front porch greeting the day, they greeted family and friends there, and they enjoyed ending their day there. He also enjoyed wood-working to see what he could create and made some as gifts for friends and family.
Fitz was also preceded in death by his sister, Syble “Nita” (& Willard) Delcambre, brother James (& Rose) Hendricks, brother-in-law Henry Guice, and grandson, Adam Hendricks.
He is survived by his sister, Margie Guice.
Fitz is survived by his wife, Connie, and his six children, son David Hendricks (Rebecca); daughter Teresa Potter; daughter Susan Francis (Hal); daughter Jeanette Stout (Tony); son Joseph Hendricks (Elizabeth); and son Gregory Hendricks (Dani).
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mark Potter (Shannon), Chris Potter (Melissa) , Kevin Potter (Abby); Natalie Hendricks-Heuer (Luc), Joel Hendricks; Austin Stout (Katy) ; Sara Grossie (Kyle); Jessica Hendricks, Samantha Hendricks, Jacob Hendricks (Rikki).
Also, by his great grandchildren Blain McKenzie-Potter, Hayden Potter; Kaine Potter, Cole Potter, Maylee Potter; Kano Stout, Roman Stout, Ava Stout, Elliott Stout; Anna Grossie; Maverick Hendricks.
Fitz treasured his many friends from Armco, the Conroe Post Office, and his neighborhoods.
He was the best example to his children and grandchildren, who all adored, respected and loved him. His funny stories, sayings and hugs will be deeply missed.
