Richard Alan Hendricks

Richard Alan Hendricks went to be with our Lord on October 19, 2019, a few weeks shy of his 88th birthday. He is survived by: his four children, Rick Hendricks (wife-Theresa) of Collierville, TN; Cheryl Snyder (husband-Bob) of Bartlett, TN; Michael Hendricks (wife-Carola) of Hailey, ID; and Steve Hendricks (wife-Kim) of Olive Branch, MS; his nine grandchildren, one step grandson, three step great-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren – with two more on the way.

Born on November 6, 1931 in Harvey Illinois, he was the eldest of six children to Shirl and Florence (Allen) Hendricks. After a tumultuous childhood, Richard attended Hanover College in Indiana, graduating with a degree in Education. While at Hanover, he was a starter on the football team, playing multiple positions in the offensive backfield. Following college, he joined the United States Navy and became a pilot flying 300 combat missions and landing on aircraft carriers over 400 times. Despite numerous obstacles, God’s grace allowed him to achieve these dreams successfully.

In 1955, he was attending flight training and playing football for the Navy at NAS in Millington TN. There he met the love of his life, Marian Mosley, as she was working the ticket counter at the Strand Theater, while home for the summer from UT Martin. Following a whirlwind courtship, they were married that December. For nearly 61 years they were inseparable-in spirit, if not in body-until Marian’s passing in November 2016.

Richard was the proud father of four children. His family moved with him from one naval base to the next in 8 different states. From Florida to California to Maryland and finally back to Tennessee, they were always waiting for him throughout his 20-year career which saw him fly numerous missions, train other pilots, and through three aircraft carrier tours during the Vietnam War. He finished his military service working at the Pentagon for two years, where before retiring he was offered to command his own ship.

After his naval career, he settled in Memphis, TN. He became the Education and Training Coordinator for LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. Later, he was the HR director at Campbell Clinic. As he became more involved in the ministry, he took on a variety of jobs that allowed him the flexibility to spread the gospel. Over the years, he would serve as a minister, a counselor, and even sang in a gospel quartet. Eventually, in his 70s, he took a position at Tipton-Rosemark Academy as a teacher and coach.

Not content with the travel provided by his time in the Navy, he and Marian crossed the globe, visiting friends in Wales, ministering in Mexico and the Soviet Union, and taking advantage of his ship being docked in Hong Kong allowing Marian to join him for a few days. Her mantra was, “Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay.” (Ruth 1:16) Their missionary work brought them much pleasure as they helped to build orphanages and schools, and offer love and the gospel to all that they met. Many wonderful memories and time together were provided by these adventures.

Throughout his life, from the moment he accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 13, he sought to tell others of this wonderful opportunity for salvation and living a blessed life. Whether it was his escape from a difficult home life, his ability to go to college, surviving numerous close calls as a pilot, or just the blessings he received over the years, he always gave thanks and credit to God. He rarely met someone without asking them if they knew about Jesus and where they believed they would go if they died today. Following his retirement, he began to put together a book about his life, eventually publishing his autobiography, “God’s Hands, His Help” which details his life and his growth through God.

Richard enjoyed many hobbies, but became enamored by painting landscapes. He favored rustic scenes in the wilderness, often set in the mountains similar to the home he and Marian shared in Montana in the 1980s. Richard also joined his sons in a round of golf or wetting a line to snag a bass in a local pond. These hobbies spread throughout the grandchildren as well.

Although humbled beginnings may have been Richard’s start in life, he diligently worked to make sure his family enjoyed a life he could only wish for as a child in Indiana. He was a source of encouragement for not only his children, but his grandchildren as well. He and Marian did their best to attend games and events to show their love and appreciation for each of them. Never was he too busy to give advice or pray to release God’s peace and wisdom over their lives.

Richard would want you to know that the Lord is always available to anyone who takes the time to ask Him to help. ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,’ (Ephesians 3:20).

He was preceded in death by his parents, all five of his siblings, and his loving wife.

A Committal service will be held on November 6, 2019 at 1:15 p.m. at West TN State Veterans Cemetery. Family will receive guests for a reception at Cheryl's home, 5980 Pamela Ann Dr. N., Bartlett TN 38135 immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Parkinson's research or Cancer research or to St. Jude's Research Hospital.