Don Cole Hendrix

Don Cole Hendrix, 88, of Keswick, Virginia, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Cole was born on August 15, 1934 in Coffeyville, Kansas, to the late Clark and Josephine Hendrix. Cole was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Roger Hendrix.

Cole served as the City Manager of Charlottesville from 1971 to 1996, and among the many projects he oversaw during that time were the development of the Charlottesville downtown pedestrian mall, the public/private construction of the Omni Hotel, the construction of Charlottesville High School and the Meadowcreek Golf Course, the establishment of the public bus transportation system, and the creation of the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority.

Cole attended the University of Kansas, earning a B.A. in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Cole worked in public administration in San Angelo, Texas, Marceline, Missouri, and Kansas City, Missouri before moving to Charlottesville. After retiring from the city in 1996 he worked in the University of Virginia Health System as an Associate Vice President for six years, and finished his career working in interim management positions in Orange County, Gordonsville and Warrenton, Virginia.

Cole won two of the three highest awards from the International City/County Manager Association (ICMA) during his tenure in public administration: the Management Innovation Award (1978, 1985) and the L.P. Cookingham Career Development Award (1983). He served as Executive Board Regional Vice President for the ICMA from 1978-80 and was the first President of the Virginia Local Government Management Association in 1987.

In 2013 Cole was presented with the McIntire Citizenship Award, given by the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce to celebrate contributions made by a member of the Charlottesville community.

Among Cole’s interests outside of public service was vacationing in Long Beach, North Carolina, golf, spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, and when he was younger operating his Ham Radio. Cole was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Memorial Church, and his faith sustained him in his last months. He participated in several men’s prayer groups over the years and found that fellowship enriching.

Cole is survived by his wife of 38 years, Janet Siebert Hendrix, and their daughters Amanda (R.J.) Easton and Jacqui Hazlett Neff. He is also survived by his former wife Carol Hendrix and their sons Stephen (Kerry) Hendrix, Scott (Vicki) Hendrix, and Mark (Stevan) Hendrix. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren Zach (Amanda) Hendrix, Abby (Grant Pollock) Hendrix, Jake (Elyssa) Hendrix, Emma Hendrix, Satchel Hendrix, Lara Hendrix, Andrew Hazlett, Olivia Neff, Kristin Neff, Raegan Neff, Chase Easton, Walker Easton, and Ryder Easton. He is also survived by his 3 great-grand children Owen and Camden Hendrix and Jasper Hazlett.

Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, November 20 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Glenmore Country Club in Keswick. A Memorial Service for Cole will be held on Monday, November 21 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Memorial Church, 1700 University Avenue, Charlottesville. There is limited parking at the church; additional parking is available off University Avenue behind The Corner, at the 14th Street Parking Garage, or the Central Grounds Parking Garage next to Memorial Gym on Emmett Street.

Donations in Cole’s memory may be made to St. Paul’s Memorial Church at the University of Virginia or

to Hospice of the Piedmont.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teaguefuneralhome.com for the Hendrix family.