James Hendricks, 75, of Atkins died Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at his home. He was born December 4, 1947, to James Travis and Carolyn “Carrie” Eleanor Goodwin Hendricks in El Dorado but considered White Hall his home.
James was a class of 1965 graduate of White Hall High School, and furthered his education at Henderson State College in Arkadelphia with a BSE in Physical Education and Health in 1969.
He started his career in education and coaching in Sheldon, Missouri, but returned to Arkansas in 1970 accepting a coaching position at Rison High School. Little did he know that the first football team he coached at Rison would be the State Champions that year!
Hendricks, as an assistant to head coach James “Jodus” Wright from 1970-1972, the Rison Wildcats football teams compiled a record of 28-5-1, including two conference titles and a state championship in 1970. After Wright resigned, Hendricks was elevated to head coach at Rison, and Wildcat teams during his tenure of 1973-74 were 21-2-1, with two conference titles and state playoff semifinal losses to McCrory in ‘73 and Atkins in ‘74.
In 1975 he moved to Marion, where he not only coached and taught but completed his master’s degree in educational administration at Arkansas State University. He soon was appointed assistant principal and thought his coaching career was over. However, when Marshall High School had a head coaching vacancy for football in 1983, he returned to coaching and for the next 31 years worked in a variety of positions in the district. Mr. Hendricks enjoyed a fulfilling career in education while employed by the Searcy County School District. He has many fond memories of students, teachers, and others in the community during his tenure in the school district. Some of his favorite times were spent broadcasting Marshall Bobcat football and basketball games so people in the community could watch them on cable TV.
He also enjoyed serving on the Arkansas State Beta Council for 29 years and the relationships he formed with administrators, teachers, and students during his tenure in that position. James spent a few summers shuttling canoers for Buffalo River Outfitters, and in his spare time could be found at Radio Shack repairing computers or helping Bret and Blake mow yards around town.
James and his wife, Diana, considered Marshall their home since both of their sons, Bret and Blake, were raised in Marshall. He was an active member of Marshall United Methodist Church and served in various leadership positions, something he continued when he and Diana became members of the Russellville First United Methodist Church. He represented the United Methodist Church at the conference level by serving as an at-large delegate to the Arkansas Annual Conference. He volunteered his time to Missions for 10 years when he served as Technology Coordinator, and later as a golf cart driver on the Hendrix College Campus, a “vacation” he dearly loved.
Upon retirement and relocating to the River Valley, James soon found a “part time” job servicing poultry houses in the River Valley. He served as a substitute bus driver for the Russellville School District, and for a period of time was employed by The Courier, delivering papers to customers and businesses in the River Valley.
James could be found enjoying his spare time with the “grand girls” on the farm at Pottsville or supporting the Mountain Home Bombers.
James enjoyed life to the fullest, never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by family (including the Marshall “family” that he loved so dearly) and friends alike.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Bloom; and his in-laws, Joe and Bobbie Maxwell.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Diana Hendricks; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bret and Jill Hendricks of Atkins and Blake and Callie Hendricks of Mountain Home; a brother, David Hendricks of Pine Bluff; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Mark McGrew of Hot Springs Village; two grandchildren, Payten Hendricks and Hallie Hendricks; and a bonus grandchild, Emery Spears.
Funeral service was Friday, May 26, 2023, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tony Griffin officiating. Burial was in Bowden Cemetery and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
Memorials may be made to Manna House, 304 S Commerce Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.
Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.