Gerald "Jerry" Norman Hendrickson

HENDRICKSON — Gerald Norman, 86; born Dec. 25, 1933, Akley, Minnesota; died Nov. 16, 2020, at the Idaho State Veterans’ Home in Boise, Idaho. Surviving: wife, Violet (Rayburn) Melton Hendrickson, Fruitland, Idaho; sons and daughters-in-law, Stan and Jan (Olson) Hendrickson, missionaries in Albania; Cliff and Lora (Griffith) Hendrickson, Pendleon, Oregon; Alan and Irene (Capellan) Hendrickson, Beaverton, Oregon; brother, Erl, Vancouver, Washington; 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Gerald Norman Hendrickson (best known as “Jerry”) was born to Nelius Bjorn Hendrickson and Grace Evelyn (Churchill) Hendrickson on Dec. 25, 1933, in Akley, Minnesota. He was the third of five children: Marcella, Theodore “Ted”, Jerry, Erland and Anita.

Jerry’s earliest years were spent in Minnesota until, at age 8, he and his family moved to the Northwest. They first settled in the Mabton/Sunnyside area in Washington state, and later moved to Pendleton, Oregon. Jerry completed his high school education and graduated from Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington.

Together with their father, Jerry and Erl spent a couple of years logging near Rogue River, Oregon. In 1953, given a choice between being drafted into the military or voluntarily enlist in the branch of his preference, Jerry joined the Air Force and became an aircraft engine specialist and crew chief. He spent eight years in the Air Force, including 13 months in Saudi Arabia. Jerry was encouraged to re-enlist and train for jet engines but declined and left the Air Force, returning to the Northwest.

Always known as a hard worker, Jerry spent time in a variety of professions, including a few years as a city police officer in Pendleton and Ontario, Oregon, a stint with the Oregon State Patrol, appliance repair, and as owner-operator of two bicycle shops in Washington during the early 1970s. He could repair nearly anything, but especially loved the outdoors and farming. A General Motors man, usually preferring Chevrolets, Jerry was such a Chevy guy, that he’d often humorously call his second son “Cliff-CHEV” instead of “Clif-FORD.”

From raising hay and grain near Milton-Freewater, the family moved to Jamieson, Oregon, where they grew alfalfa. Besides having customers in Malheur County and the Treasure Valley, they trucked most of their harvest to dairies on the Oregon coast. After “retirement” from farming, Jerry returned to mechanic work and ran delivery routes. He also sold real estate, first with Century 21, later with Chet Matier in New Plymouth, Idaho.

Jerry was a faithful Seventh-day Adventist Christian, a church elder, and Sabbath School teacher. He loved music, often singing special numbers at church, and had a heart for helping others.

Due to health issues, Jerry moved in 2016 to the Idaho State Veterans’ Home in Boise, where he was loved and well cared for until his passing peacefully on Nov. 16, 2020. He would have been 87 on Christmas day. During his final months, Jerry’s spirits were good, but he sensed his time was drawing to a close. He was not anxious, but frequently encouraged others to be ready to meet the Lord.