Darwin C. Hendricks Obituary (1921 - 2017)

Treasured Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa September 13, 1921 – September 29, 2017. Born in Pottawattamie County, Iowa On the morning of September 29, 2017, our dad quietly and peacefully passed away from natural causes, at the age of 96. He lived a very long and happy life, full of adventures and people who loved him. He served in the U.S. Army during World War ll, stationed in Normandy, Germany, and Central Europe. Of course he was given an honorable discharge. He came home, met our mom, Thelma Lemmons, fell in love, and raised three kids. He earned his BS from Utah State Agricultural College in 1949, which led to his long career in the U.S. Forest Service. His favorite assignment was The West Muddy Ranger Station in Colorado, where we didn’t have electricity but highly enjoyed running water and an indoor bathroom. This was luxury when compared to the Wyoming Ranger Station where we had lived before, which had nothing as fancy as indoor anything except beds and a stove. Dad loved being a Forest Ranger, and enjoyed friendships with the nearby ranchers and the sheep herders! His favorite horse was a Strawberry Roan Appaloosa Paint named Dopey. Dad, aka “Bud” to his closest kin, was preceded in death by his parents, Grant Everette Hendricks and Lillie Harriet Chaney, and his four siblings: Kay, Kent, Darrel, and Dean. He is survived by his children, Arthur Smith (Julie), Sharon Burgess, and Jo-Kay Jansen (Robert) and a whole passel of grandkids and great-grandkids. We want to express our deepest thanks to the staff at Brighton Home Health and Hospice for stepping in to give extra comfort and care. Love and thanks to the staff at Life Care Center of Salt Lake! You loved Dad, and he loved you all back! You could make him smile when nobody else could, and there aren’t words to express our gratitude. He couldn’t have been in a more loving place, thank you for sharing the love and care you gave him. At his request, there won’t be a funeral or service. In the spring, his family will take his ashes back to the West Muddy Ranger Station.