Visitation
Sunday, May 15, 2022
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Trinity Lutheran Church
2700 E. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Web Site
Visitation
Monday, May 16, 2022
10:00 AM EDT
Trinity Lutheran Church
2700 E. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Web Site
Service
Monday, May 16, 2022
11:00 AM EDT
Trinity Lutheran Church
2700 E. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Web Site
Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
Emmanuel Hospice
401 Hall St. SW, Suite 263
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 719-0919
Trinity Lutheran Church
2700 E. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Web Site
Life Story / Obituary
Jerry Lee Hendricks was a loving, kind, and patient man who lived a faith-centered life, rich in family and friends. Deeply committed to living a life of service, Jerry was always quick to humbly give of his time and talents. He had a gift for seeing what was needed and ensured those needs were met. With quiet determination and unconditional love, Jerry embodied the principles of his faith; he welcomed each day with gratitude and every person as a friend. In doing so, he proved a source of comfort and support for all who were blessed to know him. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Jerry was revered by many and will long live in the hearts of those who knew him best.
1945 was a year marked by much celebration and hope. With the victorious end of World War II, families tuned into the celebratory tunes of Bing Crosby, Perry Como, and the Andrews Sisters. At the same time, children delighted in the debut of the Slinky. Nowhere was there greater promise than in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as Edward and Genevieve (Kuzniak) Hendricks welcomed their son Jerry to their family on October 22.
The youngest of the three Hendricks children, Jerry grew up with strong family values. His father worked for C&O Railroad and his mother was a homemaker. The family lived in northeast Grand Rapids and attended Bethany Reformed Church. The family had a cottage on Big Pine Island Lake, where they spent a lot of time fishing and water skiing. Jerry attended Huff Elementary for one year and then Beckwith School. During his teen years, he played football for Grand Rapids Central High School and earned honors as an all-city lineman. Jerry also worked at a local orchard trimming trees and proudly graduated with the class of 1963.
Blessed to meet the love of his life, Carol Bennett, while in high school, Jerry was immediately smitten, though Carol wasn't too sure. Despite her reservations, Jerry undeterred and the couple began dating just a few months after they first met. Two years later, on October 24, 1964, they married on a beautiful cool fall day in a wedding ceremony at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Following a reception at Morton House Hotel, they continued the celebration by taking a short honeymoon to Mackinaw Island.
For a short time, the newlyweds made their first home in an apartment on Heritage Hill. Jerry worked in management for D&C Dime Stores and was soon transferred to Hudson, Michigan, and later to Fenton, Michigan. In fewer than two years, the couple returned to Grand Rapids, and Jerry began working for Steelcase in 1966. He worked there for 38 years in management in the desk plant.
In time, Jerry and Carol were delighted to become parents; Todd and Melissa were the centers of their world. To maximize his time with his family, Jerry worked the early 6 AM to 3 PM shift and was never too tired to spend quality time with his kids. He was a very active father who coached baseball, taught his kids to swim when they were very young, and was president of the Athletic Boosters at Creston High School. The family enjoyed taking trips out west, down to Florida, and camping in their pop-up camper and later a larger trailer. They also enjoyed snowmobiling, skating on an ice rink that Jerry built in the yard each year, and swimming in the backyard pool.
Shortly after the kids left home, Jerry and Carol moved to Lake Bella Vista in Rockford, where they lived for the next 25 years. These years were filled with water skiing, jet skiing, ice fishing, and fishing. It proved a special place for his family, especially his grandchildren.
Jerry was always eager to give of his talents and time in service to his community. A longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, he served his fellowship as an usher and volunteered for special projects. He volunteered as a Big Brother and with Porter Hills Retirement Home and Kids Food Basket for many years. Never one to require the spotlight, Jerry was content to see what needed to be done and figuring out how to get the job done. He was a natural tinkerer who could fix or do anything, and once he began a project, he always saw it through to the end.
Golfing, bowling, gardening, and canning the delicious harvest of his labors proved great joys for Jerry. He also loved traveling. Over the years, he and Carol literally traveled the world. Some of their memorable adventures included trips to Kenya, Australia, Russia, Vietnam, China, Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii. They had just recently returned from ten days in northern California. Jerry and Carol also made a special tradition of taking each grandchild on a week-long trip to a destination of their choosing when they were in fifth grade. In the good company of their grandkids, they traveled to New York City, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Tennessee. A loving and supportive grandpa, Jerry was always available to attend his grandchildren's special events, and he loved playing board and card games with them. Without a doubt, Jerry loved his wife and family above all else. He took great pride in living a meaningful life dedicated to those he loved and very much enjoyed the journey along the way.
Clearly, the world feels less certain in the absence of Jerry's steadfast presence. May we find much comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying his wonderful legacy forward. In each moment that we explore the world with our beloved, generously give of our blessings, cheer on our loved ones' endeavors, and live the principles of our faith, we celebrate the many ways Jerry gifted our lives. In this way, Jerry will continue to inspire others as he so inspired us.
Jerry Hendricks, of Comstock Park, MI, age 76, passed away May 11, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Leonard Hendricks. Jerry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol; children, Todd (Hester) Hendricks and Melissa (Peter) Patsiavos; six grandchildren, Bennett, Thomas, and Gabriella Hendricks and Nicholas, Analise and Olivia Patsiavos; sister, Judith (Lee) DeLosh; sister-in-law, Jacklyn Hendricks; and good friend, Robert Ellis. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Monday, May 16, 2022, at 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 E. Fulton. Friends may visit Sunday in the church courtyard from 5-7 PM and Monday beginning at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or Emmanuel Hospice. To read more of Jerry's Life Story, to leave a memory or condolence please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.