Gene William Hendrix

Gene William Hendrix, loving son, brother & devoted husband, died on Tuesday May 21st, 2024 at the age of 85. A funeral will be held Saturday May 25th at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of Zion Lutheran Church in Lexington, SC.

A graveside service and interment at the church will immediately follow the funeral, where the family will receive well-wishers and friends.

Born on October 26th 1938, he was a son of the late Henry Walter Hendrix, Jr. and Mary Monts Hendrix of Lexington. His family attended Zion Lutheran Church, living a rural life, raising farm animals, growing crops and cutting timber. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1956, playing sports, most notably football.

Gene attended Newberry College, graduating in 1960 with a B.S. in Mathematics. During his time at Newberry, he was a 4-year letterman and award-winning member of the football team. He held leadership roles in student government, was a member of the Blue Key honor society and was named “Who’s Who of American Universities and Colleges” his senior year.

Gene then taught and coached at Gardner Webb College in North Carolina. He applied for and was awarded the opportunity to continue his studies at the University of California- Berkley in the field of physics where he earned graduate degrees. His life on the west coast was full of various activities, most notably, volunteer coaching at a community college with future Football Hall of Fame Coach, John Madden.

Gene then began his career as a civilian employee with the nuclear research branch of the Department of the Navy based in the Pentagon. He served in various capacities, traveling the world while living in the DC metro area. Notably, he participated in the post-accident analysis of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant.

Following his retirement from the navy, Gene continued his travels, beginning a second career in real estate investment.

He met the love of his life, Rose Mary Maruskin, who he married on New Year’s Eve 1999. Together, they lived a full life in Bethany Beach, Delaware. He interestingly dressed the role of Abraham Lincoln in an annual community patriotic parade. He and Rose were active in the community, enjoying boating and advocating for peace in all parts of the world- great and small.

In 2009, Gene was inducted into the Lexington High athletic hall of fame, honoring his participation in football. He was similarly recognized in 2018 by Newberry College, continuing to support as a proud alumnus.

Upon Rose’s death in 2020, Gene began his travel to his final residence at the Westminster Memory Care in Lexington SC, only 5 miles from his childhood home.

Gene lived a full, varied and successful life – lovingly enriching his friends and family in all that he pursued… He is missed.

Gene is survived by his brothers, Walter (Linda) and Charlie Hendrix (Karey); sister-in-law, Joanie Maruskin; nephew, Steve Hendrix; and nieces, Wanda Wingard, Kathy Bigham and Beth Jebali. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, and his sister-in-law, Jean Hendrix (Walter).

The family would like to express its thanks to the staff of Westminster Memory Care- Lexington and Agape Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund, 226 Corley Mill Road, Lexington SC, 29072 or a charity of your choice. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington is assisting the family.