HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Gene Hendryx on
1-2 December 21, 1998, at the age of 71, has brought a great loss to
1-3 the family and many friends of this beloved individual; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born July 16, 1927, on a farm in Ochiltree County,
1-5 Mr. Hendryx joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 15 and
1-6 served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, participating in
1-7 the Solomon Islands, Guam, and Iwo Jima campaigns; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Determined to receive an education, Mr. Hendryx
1-9 garnered bachelor's and master's degrees from Sul Ross State
1-10 University; he was honored as that institution's first and only
1-11 alumnus emeritus and was recognized as a distinguished student by
1-12 the university; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Well known as a radio pioneer, Mr. Hendryx started
1-14 his career in college while working for KVLF in Alpine as a
1-15 part-time announcer; he was eventually promoted to full-time
1-16 announcer and gained a controlling interest in the station, and, at
1-17 the age of 33, he became the youngest president of the Texas
1-18 Association of Broadcasters; and
1-19 WHEREAS, A former state representative, Mr. Hendryx was
1-20 elected to the 58th, 59th, and 60th Texas legislatures; he was
1-21 appointed to the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas Vending
1-22 Machine Commission and served two terms as a Brewster County
1-23 commissioner; and
1-24 WHEREAS, In addition to his vast and diverse career in
2-1 politics and radio, Mr. Hendryx pursued his passion for writing and
2-2 published two books: Semper Fi, which depicts the life of a South
2-3 Texas Marine during World War II, and Voice of the Last Frontier, a
2-4 history of the Big Bend territory and the milestones that shaped it
2-5 over the past 50 years; and
2-6 WHEREAS, After the passing of his first wife, Lucille,
2-7 Mr. Hendryx established the Gene and Lucille Hendryx Alpha Chi
2-8 Scholarship at Sul Ross State University, the largest individually
2-9 endowed scholarship at SRSU, and this serves as a monument to this
2-10 fine gentleman's benevolent nature; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the love and
2-12 friendship of Gene Hendryx will long miss his presence and
2-13 guidance, and he will surely be remembered with great affection and
2-14 admiration for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
2-15 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-16 hereby pay tribute to the life of Gene Hendryx and extend sincere
2-17 sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Nancy Hendryx;
2-18 to his sons, Ray, Forrest, and Houston Hendryx; to his grandsons,
2-19 Travis, Otis, and Luke; to his granddaughters, Lindsay, Jennifer,
2-20 and Emily; to his brothers, Burt and Jimmy Hendryx; to his sisters,
2-21 Earlene Ames and Naomi Thompson; and to the many other relatives
2-22 and friends of this distinguished gentleman; and, be it further
2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-24 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-25 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
2-26 memory of Gene Hendryx.
Gallego
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 145 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 16, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 145 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on April 23, 1999.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _______________________
Date
_______________________
Governor