Cloudy, 40° F
(Dec. 5, 1928 - Aug. 2, 2013)
Jack Hendrickson, 84, died Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, at Spirit Mountain Hospice House in Cody.
He was born Dec. 5, 1928, in Turner, Mont., the third of three children to Thomas and Hamilton Hendrickson.
Jack married Mary-Helen Stegner on June 12, 1953. They were married 47 years until Mary-Helen died on March 7, 2000.
Jack graduated high school in Turner, Mont. He attended school at Northern Montana College in Havre, and graduated from Eastern Montana College in Billings in 1954. He went on to receive his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Montana in Missoula.
Jack always enjoyed the outdoors and independence. He was an athlete as a youth and an avid sportsman throughout his life. He loved a good joke and a little adventure and was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge, where he found plenty of both.
He cared deeply about schools and children’s education. He was a lifelong educator serving as teacher, elementary principal and administrator throughout his career in Hingham, Mont., Powell, Alexandria, Minn., and Buffalo. He retired in Buffalo and later moved to Cody, where he lived until he died.
He taught his children to value education, to think for themselves, and to live with integrity. He was a loving husband and father, a loyal friend, an optimist and entrepreneur and a beloved rascal to the end.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife Mary-Helen Hendrickson and his brother Eugene.
He is survived by his children and their families, sons: Thomas W. Hendrickson and Lon A. Hendrickson; daughter Jill A. (David) Balling; granddaughter Kate (Ethan) Dusto; grandchildren: Jackie and Peyton Hendrickson, Afton and Thayne Balling; and sister Janice Frank and her family.
All of Jack’s friends are invited to join in celebrating his life. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at Ballard Funeral Home, 636 19th St. in Cody.
Memorial donations can be made to the Spirit Mountain Hospice House in Cody.
Ballard Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
