Thomas Edwin Hendricks

Thomas (Tom) Edwin Hendricks, age 94, of Springdale, passed away Friday, February 3, 2017, in Fayetteville. He was born on October 30, 1922, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Aaron Edwin and Viola Lorene Wamsley Hendricks. Even though he lived most of his life in Arkansas, he never quite lost the Texas part of himself. His fondest childhood memory was "hanging out" at the Texas State Fairgrounds which adjoined his family's property. He talked about being at the Cotton Bowl on the day it opened for the first time. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II enlisting on December 7, 1942. He also married his wife, Doris Ruth, earlier that year and they celebrated their 74th anniversary in September 2016. After he was discharged in 1945, he and Doris moved to Dallas and he started his lifelong career in retail. In 1955, he became an Arkansan when the family moved to Fort Smith where he managed Tilles. In 1965, he was hired to manage the Boston Store on the Fayetteville Square. In 1972, he and the owner of the store began to explore opening a mall and he played an active part in the formation of the NWA Mall with the Boston Store as one of the first stores. He and his wife later owned a clothing store in Evelyn Hills and he worked at Penny's until he was 80 years old. They lived for many years on a farm in Greenland where a city boy learned how to deal with cows. He was active in civic affairs and served as president of The West Fork Rural Fire Association, a member of the Washington County Rural Water Board, and the Greenland Planning Commission. He also volunteered at the VA hospital. He was a member of First Baptist of Fayetteville from 1965 until his death and was very proud to have served as an adult Sunday School teacher for over 30 years. A few years ago, he and Doris moved to the Gardens at Arkanshire in Springdale. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas Hendricks, Jr and his daughter Cindy Schmidt. He is survived by his wife, Doris; one daughter, Cece Hilliard and husband Jerry of Fayetteville; one son-in-law Andrew Schmidt of Bella Vista; four grandchildren, Rob Harrison and wife Beth, Kyle Harrison and partner Fernando; Chad Gabbard and wife Tiffany, and Cher Masters and husband Chris; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2017, at First Baptist Church of Fayetteville at 20 E. Dickson St., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Fayetteville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church or a charity of one's choice. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.