Kent was a childhood friend. We lived around the corner from (Bluebird and Robin St.) one another going to Williams Elementary together. We also attended Sam Houston Jr. High together. We were no longer friends by the time we attended Garland High School. We played football together at Sam Houston. I don't remember him playing at Williams Elementary. I stopped playing and he went on and played as a Garland Owl. Kent looked up to his older brother Craig who was killed in Viet Nam. Craig was the cool big brother that Kent and I of course looked up to. I remember Kent's family had ribbons and medals hanging in their dinning area his father had earned in the military. So Craig must have followed in his fathers footsteps. I don't know if Kent served in the military. Kent and his brother Craig unknowingly played a large role in my life back then. I remember the day I learned Craig had died in Viet Nam. Ronnie Gracy my friend ran all the way from his house near Garland Road to my home on Bluebird to tell me about the tragedy. We all went to Craigs funeral. Kent and his family were so upset. I'll never forget the 21 gun salute ecohing against the crying of his young widow whose name escapes me. I've never shared this with any of you but my public rebuke of authority while I attened Garland High School was a result of Craigs death in Viet Name and his funeral I attended. After the funeral, I could not stand by silently anymore as young boys like Craig gave their lives at the direction of politicians. So I began to rebel publically against the war which was unheard of in Garland Tx at the time. It caused me to lose all of my friends in Kent's circle at the time. I never shared with him it was all about Craig's death and my father's. I later joined the Army and served honorably so my rebellion wasn't about being patriotic. I've always loved Amerioca. But at that time in my life I had seen death all too close and too often first with the loss of my father at age ten and then Craig who was the neighborhood hero. A Marine. While I knew Kent, he was a great friend. We went to many parties together in the eight and nineth grade. We rode our bikes to school together going to Sam Houston. I didn't know Kent who became the man but I knew him as a boy and Ken Kendricks was someone I knew as a real friend. I makes me very sad to write these memories of him. I will never forget Kent Hendricks...my childhood friend.
I am so very sorry for your loss of a good friend. Our friends from childhood make such an impression on us through our lives. Your memories of you and Kent are such a treasure. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
I’m sorry for your loss whether Kent was a close friend or a kind acquaintance. I know that he had a kindness in him that is missing in so many people today. The last time I saw and got to speak with him was at our 20th Class Reunion. I was in the midst of a divorce, had a chronically ill child, one child in college, and one graduating from high school, too sum it up my life was a hot mess. Kent patted my hand, gave me a smile and said things could be worse, I could still be with going through all of that and living with my soon to be ex husband. He made me laugh, gave me a hug and said everything was going to work out. I’m sorry to say I never got to tell him that it did. I’ve thought of him and many of my friends from school over the years and how they impacted my life, most of them for the better but I’ve never had the chance to say thank you. I hope that all of us take the time to remember those that touched us and reach out to them before their gone. God Bless You, Kent. R.I.P.
Dear Kent: We will miss your irrepressible love for life - and all the many. many things you liked to do - and did. We shared a lot in life: early deaths of your brother and my father, double dates with our girlfriends since 7th grade; listening to all that great 60's music, chatting about Carl Sandburg's Leaves of Grass, sharing views of Detrich Bonhoffer, analyzing Leonard Cohen's song "Suzanne" - and wearing the Black and Gold together on the football field. I am thankful to God for having known you as we influenced each others' lives - and even more thankful that I was able to travel to see you in California just a few weeks ago, and hear you still call my name! See you again someday.
What a great human being. Kent was a friend everyone should have. His smile was a beacon to his soul. You will be greatly missed and remembered friend. My condolences to his wife and family
For all our Garland High School friends from the 1960’s it is sad to learn of Kent Hendrick’s March 2019 passing in California. Kent graduated in 1970, and then became a West Point graduate in 1974. His brother Craig died in Vietnam in April 1967, while many of us just finished at GHS or were still in school.
Kent was an avid Rugby player, teacher, guitarist, writer, leader, coach and 26 year veteran teacher. He died in Victorville, California of Lewy Body Dementia, and I know you will find his West Point Obituary amazing. Following the West Point link is another story of Kent returning to his former teaching school, which discusses his great passion for teaching. All this is an amazing story of an amazing GHS Class of 1970 student.
Henry Thomas (Tom) Steely, Jr.
one of the nciest guys i ever met. knew him all the way from Williams Elementary/
God bless you Kent!
Mike Davis
I remeber Kent from Sam Houston. I did not know him very well, but even at that age you could tell he was a class act. RIP Kent.
Carl Covington
Kent was a childhood friend. We lived around the corner from (Bluebird and Robin St.) one another going to Williams Elementary together. We also attended Sam Houston Jr. High together. We were no longer friends by the time we attended Garland High School. We played football together at Sam Houston. I don't remember him playing at Williams Elementary. I stopped playing and he went on and played as a Garland Owl. Kent looked up to his older brother Craig who was killed in Viet Nam. Craig was the cool big brother that Kent and I of course looked up to. I remember Kent's family had ribbons and medals hanging in their dinning area his father had earned in the military. So Craig must have followed in his fathers footsteps. I don't know if Kent served in the military. Kent and his brother Craig unknowingly played a large role in my life back then. I remember the day I learned Craig had died in Viet Nam. Ronnie Gracy my friend ran all the way from his house near Garland Road to my home on Bluebird to tell me about the tragedy. We all went to Craigs funeral. Kent and his family were so upset. I'll never forget the 21 gun salute ecohing against the crying of his young widow whose name escapes me. I've never shared this with any of you but my public rebuke of authority while I attened Garland High School was a result of Craigs death in Viet Name and his funeral I attended. After the funeral, I could not stand by silently anymore as young boys like Craig gave their lives at the direction of politicians. So I began to rebel publically against the war which was unheard of in Garland Tx at the time. It caused me to lose all of my friends in Kent's circle at the time. I never shared with him it was all about Craig's death and my father's. I later joined the Army and served honorably so my rebellion wasn't about being patriotic. I've always loved Amerioca. But at that time in my life I had seen death all too close and too often first with the loss of my father at age ten and then Craig who was the neighborhood hero. A Marine. While I knew Kent, he was a great friend. We went to many parties together in the eight and nineth grade. We rode our bikes to school together going to Sam Houston. I didn't know Kent who became the man but I knew him as a boy and Ken Kendricks was someone I knew as a real friend. I makes me very sad to write these memories of him. I will never forget Kent Hendricks...my childhood friend.
Marti Stricklin
Carl, (Speedy!)
I am so very sorry for your loss of a good friend. Our friends from childhood make such an impression on us through our lives. Your memories of you and Kent are such a treasure. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
I hope things are going well with you.
marti
Mary Madkins (McCullen)
Hello Everyone:
I’m sorry for your loss whether Kent was a close friend or a kind acquaintance. I know that he had a kindness in him that is missing in so many people today. The last time I saw and got to speak with him was at our 20th Class Reunion. I was in the midst of a divorce, had a chronically ill child, one child in college, and one graduating from high school, too sum it up my life was a hot mess. Kent patted my hand, gave me a smile and said things could be worse, I could still be with going through all of that and living with my soon to be ex husband. He made me laugh, gave me a hug and said everything was going to work out. I’m sorry to say I never got to tell him that it did. I’ve thought of him and many of my friends from school over the years and how they impacted my life, most of them for the better but I’ve never had the chance to say thank you. I hope that all of us take the time to remember those that touched us and reach out to them before their gone. God Bless You, Kent. R.I.P.
Mary
Harry Norris (Norris)
Dear Kent: We will miss your irrepressible love for life - and all the many. many things you liked to do - and did. We shared a lot in life: early deaths of your brother and my father, double dates with our girlfriends since 7th grade; listening to all that great 60's music, chatting about Carl Sandburg's Leaves of Grass, sharing views of Detrich Bonhoffer, analyzing Leonard Cohen's song "Suzanne" - and wearing the Black and Gold together on the football field. I am thankful to God for having known you as we influenced each others' lives - and even more thankful that I was able to travel to see you in California just a few weeks ago, and hear you still call my name! See you again someday.
Harry Norris
Jennifer Arey (Sikora)
Sending sympathy to family and friends:
Kent has been a constant in my life since we were 12 years old.
Taking great pleasure in seeking out all that life had to offer, he tasted it
often with his entire being. A keen curiosity sparked and encouraged
his profound contemplation about our existence. He was a thinker, a philosopher,
and a writer among many other lofty endeavors. There were no limits to his interests
and he was continually engaged in seeking and learning. His loving,
caring ways towards others was natural and unforced. He had a beautiful smile
and could be a little impish sometimes. It made us love him more.
There is a big hole, my friend. With love and admiration will see you on the other side.
Mike Trevino
What a great human being. Kent was a friend everyone should have.His smile was a beacon to his soul.
You will be greatly missed and remembered friend.
My condolences to his wife and family
Richard Stafford (Class Of 1969)
For all our Garland High School friends from the 1960’s it is sad to learn of Kent Hendrick’s March 2019 passing in California. Kent graduated in 1970, and then became a West Point graduate in 1974. His brother Craig died in Vietnam in April 1967, while many of us just finished at GHS or were still in school.
Kent was an avid Rugby player, teacher, guitarist, writer, leader, coach and 26 year veteran teacher. He died in Victorville, California of Lewy Body Dementia, and I know you will find his West Point Obituary amazing. Following the West Point link is another story of Kent returning to his former teaching school, which discusses his great passion for teaching. All this is an amazing story of an amazing GHS Class of 1970 student.
West Point Obituary:
https://www.westpointaog.org/memorial-article?id=df2ef35e-0486-4e3b-abf2-af7d18469f23
Article about Kent’s visit to his closed school where he taught:
https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20181203/teachers-sad-sight-broken-windows-graffiti-mar-former-high-school-building?template=ampart
Dick Stafford, GHS Class of '69
Richard Stafford (Class Of 1969)
Kent Hendricks (2010, California)