Howard Dearth Hendryx

Howard Dearth Hendryx, 83, passed away on November 1, 2016 in Winter Park, FL, after a seven year hard fought, courageous battle with cancer. He was born on October 7, 1933 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Kenneth and Pauline Hendryx. Howard grew up in Muncie, Indiana, and Atlantic Beach, Florida. He graduated from Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach, Florida in 1952. After high school, he: • Attended University of Florida and graduated from Jacksonville University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. • Served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. He achieved the rank of Sergeant, received awards for his marksmanship, and was honorably discharged, • Settled down in Orlando, Florida, where he enjoyed a career in commercial telephone system sales and sales management and retired in 1998. • Was very active with his sons in Indian Guides, the Boy Scouts, and supported them in their many athletic endeavors. He passed on his joy of camping and fishing to them. • It was on a camping trip with the Indian Guides that he received his nickname “The Old Ranger”. • Was very active with his grandchildren and nieces attending their many recitals and competitions and taking them on camping trips. Time spent with grandchildren, nieces and his nephew, was always a true joy in Howard’s life. • Bled Orange and Blue (Gators), and tolerated Garnet and Gold (Seminoles) for his wife, Sarah. • Was an avid sports fan and a season football and basketball ticket holder for the University of Central Florida (Knights). • Was a long time, very active member in and former President of Kiwanis Club of Central Orlando where he was passionate about working with local children’s charities. He received Member of the Year honors twice. • Was also a long time, very active member in and former President of the I.D.E.A. Club, a long established business networking group. Received Member of the Year honors. • Was on his Condominium Board for a number of years and served a term as President. • Volunteered at the voting polls for many elections. • Was quick witted with funny stories, some true…and some not so true (Fiction and Fact from Howard’s Almanac!) • Could burn through pocket novels (westerns, espionage, suspense/action thrillers, history) like no other. • Loved to vacation with his wife Sarah (and friends) in the mountains of North Carolina and the beaches of Florida. • Howard and Sarah also traveled to many other parts of the United States. Two of the most memorable experiences were a fabulous trip to San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Mendocino with son Ken and wife Donna; and their Retirement Celebration trip to enjoy fall foliage and search for covered bridges in New England and Eastern Canada. Howard’s most cherished moments were those spent with family and friends. He loved his family dearly, both immediate family and extended family; and felt blessed by long time friendships with so many from his Kiwanis Club, I.D.E.A. Club, “Supper Club”, college sports friends (including those from FSU!), Carl, Jim, Orion and many others who enriched his life. Howard was a deeply loving and kind man who cared for others and could brighten anyone’s day. He could always be counted on to lighten your heart and bring a smile (or laugh) to your face! He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Pauline Hendryx, his sister Marilyn Boutwell, and his eldest son, Kenneth Hendryx. Howard is survived by his loving wife Sarah; his sons David - Gainesville, FL; Michael (Dawn) - Jacksonville, FL; and Mark - Denver, CO; his daughter-in-law, Donna Neville-Hendryx – Jacksonville, FL; and Meg Hendryx – Gainesville, FL; his grandchildren Erin, Caroline, and Kathryn; his nieces, Susan Mead (James), Lynn Boutwell, Debra Everson, Jennifer Everson, and Megan Everson; his nephew, Bruce Boutwell (Paula); brother-in-law, David Everson (Pamela), and many other relatives. A Celebration of Life service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, 125 North Interlachen Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789, at 3:00 pm December 3, 2016. A Reception will immediately follow at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMDH) of Central Florida. Address: RMDH Charities, 1030 N. Orange Ave. Suite 105, Orlando, FL 32801. PLEASE DESIGNATE RMDH GIFT TO: “Kiwanis Club of Central Orlando” acct. Howard’s Kiwanis Club of Central Orlando sponsors a guest room at the new RMD House at Lake Nona. Condolences and remembrances may be left on this online guest book.

Howard Dearth Hendryx

October 7, 1933 - November 1, 2016