Edwin Hendrix

Mr. Edwin Hendrix, age 91, of Exeter, Missouri.

Mr. Edwin Hendrix, age 91, of Exeter, Missouri went to his heavenly home and joined the staff of the Supreme Commander on Saturday, November 27, 2021. 

Ed was born on May 24, 1930, in Gate, Oklahoma, son of the late Oden and Beaulah (McLeod) Hendrix. 

On October 27, 1951 he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Williams and together they shared fifty-five years of marriage before her passing on September 24, 2006. 

Ed is survived by his two daughters, Linda Cornell and husband David of Anderson and Debbie Park and husband Bud of Wheaton; five grandchildren, Chris Park and JoGina of Wheaton, Ryan Park of Wheaton, Tara and Chris Carter of Fort Smith, Traci Hendrix of Fort Smith, and Robert Cornell and Maliah of Anderson; ten great grandchildren, Kelton, Jayci and Palyn Park of Wheaton, Kylie and Bryson Hendrix of Ft. Smith, Gage Carter of Ft. Smith, Peyton Cash, Paisley, Presley and Penelope Cornell of Anderson; two sisters Zona England of Wheaton and Betty Frank of Springfield; a brother-in-law Carl Lewis of Mt. Vernon and a sister- in-law, Dimple Lewis of Cassville as well as a host of other family and friends. 

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; one son, David; his parents; two brothers, Pete Hendrix and Marvin Hendrix and one sister, Nova Schwandt. 

The family moved from Gate, Oklahoma to Wheaton, Missouri in 1936. Ed received his education at Harold and Ridgley Rural Schools and graduated from Wheaton High School in 1948. 

Ed joined the Navy in 1948 at age 17. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired in 1968 as a Senior Chief Electrician Mate after twenty years of service. Ed was asked once what his favorite memory was from the Navy, he simply said Coming Home! Upon retiring from the Navy Ed worked for North American Rockwell in California, Alabama and Florida. He was a training specialist on the Apollo and Shuttle Space Craft until 1979 where he taught astronauts Alan Shepard and Neil Armstrong. After leaving Rockwell he returned to Wheaton in 1979 to build his current home and worked for the Wheaton School District as a bus driver and bus mechanic. He retired from there in 1991. In 2015 Ed was honored to be chosen to go to Washington DC as part of the Honor Flight of the Ozarks from Springfield, Missouri accompanied by his daughters, Linda and Debbie. 

After retiring he and Mary Lou bought a pontoon boat and spent many hours on the lake with their kids and grandkids. He also spent his time doing woodworking, selling his crafts at various craft shows. He has made many rockers for the “Little Solid Rockers” and many who needed baby gifts. Ed loved tending his flowers and yard, and his favorite holiday was Christmas, he loved watching everyone open their presents and was very giving. Until the past few years his house was full of Christmas lights and yard ornaments. More than anything he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved watching them play but especially loved being called Grandpa and Grandpa Grandpa. 

Ed was a faithful member of Solid Rock Baptist Church, Monett VFW and The Fleet Reserve Association. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Solid Rock Baptist Church under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Pastor Scott Mitchell, Pastor Paul Wahlert and Pastor Justin Steadman will conduct the services. Burial with military honors will be at Rocky Comfort Cemetery in Rocky Comfort, Missouri. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Solid Rock Baptist Church in Wheaton. 

Contributions may be made to Honor Flight of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 3964, Springfield, Missouri 65808-3964. 

Visit www.fohnfuneralhome.com for online obituaries, guestbook and private condolences.