Van Hubert Hendrix

Van Hubert Hendrix, a lifelong Houstonian with a big personality and a generous heart, passed away in Houston, Texas, on February 17, 2026. Born to Sallye Brunette Saxon Hendrix and Bill Hendrix at St. Joseph’s Infirmary in Houston on November 3, 1935, Van lived ninety years filled with professional dedication, outdoor adventure, and memorable stories. After graduating from Corrigan High School in 1953, Van served his country by spending two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany, where he worked as a telegraph operator from 1954 to 1956, then serving eight more years in the Army Reserve.

Upon returning home, Van met future wife Evelyn Austin at Stephen F. Austin University, where he was a student and popular radio DJ. He married Evelyn on August 30, 1958, and they began a life together that would last decades. Their family grew with the arrival of their daughter, Patricia Kay, in 1959, and their son, Brian, in 1963. During those busy early years, Van balanced fatherhood with his studies and graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1961. Van became a dedicated attorney and certified family law specialist, practicing for well over 50 years.

Van also served his community as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. He loved nothing more than hunting and fishing, making trips to Venezuela, Alaska and Mississippi with his friends. Those trips became some of his favorite memories.

Van loved holding court at parties and entertaining a room full of friends. Van and Evelyn enjoyed numerous trips, parties and gatherings with the “Over the Hill Gang,” their close group of friends. He was known for both his sense of humor and his stubborn streak. His children have fond memories of Dad’s Spaghetti, extravagant Christmas mornings, long summer road trips to national parks, and yearly family vacations at Landa Resort in New Braunfels.

Van was a member of Fairhaven Methodist Church, where he and Evelyn led an adults’ Bible study group, “Pairs and Spares.” He had a lifelong love of gospel music, which he enjoyed to the end.

Van was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn in 2024. He is survived by daughter Patti McCutchan and son Brian Hendrix, as well as grandchildren Addison Brown, Avery Taylor, Melissa McCutchan, Caitlin Hinton, and Ethan Hendrix, and six great-grandchildren.

Friends and family will gather graveside to place Van's remains next to Evelyn’s in Shady Grove Cemetery in Nacogdoches. Special thanks go to Raven, LaShanda, and the rest of the care staff at Clearwater at the Heights Assisted Living, where Van entertained his dining room friends for more than a year preceding his death. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Civil Liberties Union can be made in his name.