Obituaries

Joseph Blake "Joe" Hendrix

Photo of Joseph Blake "Joe" Hendrix
Joseph Blake "Joe" Hendrix Sr. was born January 2, 1934, and died January 29, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann (Baker) Hendrix; his daughter and son-in-law, Katherine E. "Libby" and Daniel D. Frith, Sr.; his son, Joseph Blake Hendrix, Jr.; two grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth and Daniel D. "David" Frith, Jr.; a brother, William E. Hendrix, and; a sister, Martha G. Roberts. His mother and father, William and Gaynelle Hendrix, brother and sister-in-law, Dr. James and Angela Hendrix, and granddaughter, Katherine Madison Frith, predeceased him. Joe and his brothers and sister were raised in Jonesboro and Searcy, graduated from Jonesboro High School and, in 1957, from Arkansas State College (now Arkansas State University) where he was an AAU champion wrestler in the 130-pound weight class. Following officer training school, he served two tours in the U.S. Army, serving as an artillery battery commander and artillery weapons instructor. His duty stations included Ft. Lewis, Wash., and, during the Berlin Crisis, Vilseck and Butigan, Germany. As a businessman, Joe worked for Arkla Gas Company, Coulson Oil Company, and his own business, Hendrix Oil Company. He retired in 1996. Family was the most important and remained the most constant emphasis in his life. He documented every achievement of his children and grandchildren, and he and Jo Ann surrounded themselves in photographs and mementos of their family, near and far. Joe avidly supported and encouraged his children, Libby and Blake, and later his grandchildren, Sarah and David, in all of their hopes and dreams, inspiring them to be the best they could be. Hardly a conversation went by that he did not talk about the pride he felt for his family. Joe was disciplined, but free-spirited, gregarious, and adventurous. The son of a music teacher, he loved music, marrying Jo Ann, a beautiful singer, and raising his children in a home in which music always played an important part. After retiring, he spent his time on innumerable projects, caring for his beloved wife, and visiting neighbors with Sassy, his dog that brought him much comfort. Joe died peacefully following a brief illness. His beloved granddaughter, Sarah, was at his side. A visitation in Joe's memory will be held Friday, February 1, 2013, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home 13801 Chenal Parkway Little Rock (501) 224-8300 from 2:30 to 4:40 p.m. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published January 31, 2013

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