SMSGT Thomas Kenneth Hendrick, USAF (Retired)
SMSgt Thomas Kenneth Hendrick, USAF (Retired), 90, a longtime resident of York County, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 5, 2024, after a 3-year-long battle with Alzheimer's. Thomas, known as Ken or T.K. to friends and family, was born May 12, 1933, in Bowling Green, KY to the late Thomas A. Hendrick and Grace C. (Miller) Hendrick. In 1952, not long after graduating valedictorian of Bristow High School in Bowling Green, Ken enlisted in the US Air Force, where he ultimately attained the rank of SMSgt. During his 28-year career in the USAF, Ken worked as a supply management superintendent and later as a logistics plans superintendent. In 1957, while stationed at Greenville AFB in Mississippi, he met and married the love of his life, Peggy Jean Hitt. SMSgt Hendrick was proud of his service to our nation and he had fond, sometimes humorous, memories of the numerous duty stations, both in the USA and overseas, where he was assigned. During the course of his long career, SMSgt Hendrick served in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and received several awards and recognitions, including the Air Force Commendation Medal.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1980, Ken settled his family in York County, VA. Always an active guy, he enjoyed playing several sports throughout his life. When he was young, Ken played basketball in high school and later he played on an Air Force team. However, starting in his mid-20s, Ken switched his passion to golf. After retiring from the Air Force, during the 1980s and 1990s, he worked at the Langley AFB Eaglewood Golf Course so that he could be immersed in all things golf. Ken was also passionate about his family and his beloved basset hounds, Beethoven and Sammy, who both preceded him in death and were waiting patiently for him at the Rainbow Bridge. Ken was a humble man with a big heart and he lived his life with integrity. He was proud of his Kentucky roots and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Grace (Miller) Hendrick; a sister, Betty Jo (Hendrick) Roark; and two brothers, William C. Hendrick and Charles R. Hendrick, Sr.
He is survived by his beautiful wife of 66 years, Peggy J. (Hitt) Hendrick; four sons, Kenneth D. Hendrick of Yorktown, Jimmy G. Hendrick of Newport News, Thomas D. Hendrick (Tracy) of Shawboro, NC, and Troyce Hendrick of Yorktown; three grandchildren, Shelley Hendrick (Joey Patterson) of Mocksville, NC, James Hendrick (Megan) of Virginia Beach, and Christopher Hendrick of Atlanta, GA; three great grandchildren, Jaime G. Patterson, John Alex Patterson, and Hollis Lloyd Hendrick; and many nieces and nephews in KY and elsewhere.
According to his wishes, Ken's body was cremated.
A private celebration of Ken's life was held at the deceased's home, April 10, 2024, and attended by family and friends.
So long dad. We'll meet again in Heaven someday. We love you.