Orson Larry Hendrick

May 4, 1945 – September 1, 2026 Orson Larry Hendrick, 81, passed away on September 1, 2026, following a courageous battle with lung cancer and just over six months after the loss of his beloved wife of 58 years, Sandra “Sandy” Hendrick, who passed away on February 19, 2026, after her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Larry was born on May 4, 1945, in Mercedes, Texas, to Orson and Martha Hendrick of Alamo, Texas. He was the youngest of three children and grew up alongside his two older sisters, Martha “Sharon” Ives and Laurel “Lolly” Ellis. Raised in Alamo, Larry grew up surrounded by family. He and his cousins spent much of their childhood at the family business, Alamo Tractor Company, where they learned early the meaning of hard work—and, of course, how to work on tractors. Those years helped shape Larry into the hardworking, dependable man he would remain throughout his life. Larry graduated from PSJA High School in 1963. During his sophomore year, at his sister’s urging, he invited a freshman named Sandra Smith to the Belle and Beau Dance. That invitation marked the beginning of a high school romance that would become the defining partnership of his life. Larry and Sandy married in 1967 and spent the next 58 years building a family, serving their community, and sharing a lifetime of memories. Following high school, Larry attended Pan American College before enlisting in the United States Army in December 1967. He later served in the U.S. Army Reserve until his discharge in 1972. Larry and Sandy settled in San Juan, Texas, where they began their careers and started their family. Sandy became an elementary school physical education teacher, while Larry built a career in the insurance industry, working in-house for several insurance companies before eventually opening Hendrick Claim Service in the mid-1990s. Service to others was an important part of Larry’s life. While living in San Juan, he was a longtime member of the San Juan Lions Club, where he also served as president, and was an active member of the San Juan Volunteer Fire Department. In 1976, Larry and Sandy moved their family to McAllen, where they would raise their three sons, Brian, Brett, and Blaine. Larry continued his service as a member of the McAllen Fire Department until its transition away from the volunteer system in the late 1980s. His faith was equally important to him. Larry served for many years as an Elder and board member of First Christian Church of McAllen. During the last decade of their lives, Larry and Sandy called First United Methodist Church of McAllen their church home. For all of Larry’s professional accomplishments and community service the role that mattered most to him was being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Larry was the kind of father who showed up. Whatever his boys were doing, he was there to support them. He served on the boards of several McAllen ISD booster clubs and rarely missed an opportunity to watch his sons participate in their activities. As his family grew, that same devotion extended to his grandchildren. Whether it was a game, performance, school event, or simply an opportunity to spend time together, Larry took great joy in watching his children and grandchildren do the things they loved. He loved to fish and hunt, but perhaps more than either, he simply loved being outdoors and on the water with his family. For Larry, what mattered most was not the activity itself, but the time spent sharing it with the people he loved. The final years of Larry’s life revealed perhaps the clearest example of the man he had always been. As Sandy faced Alzheimer’s disease and Larry faced his own battle with lung cancer, his devotion to his wife never wavered. The promises they made to one another in 1967 remained his promises 58 years later. Through illness, uncertainty, and loss, he remained steadfast in his love for Sandy, his family, and his Lord. Larry is survived by his sons, Brian Hendrick of Harlingen, Texas; Brett Hendrick of San Antonio, Texas; and Blaine Hendrick of McAllen, Texas; his nine grandchildren, Dillon Hendrick, Corban Hendrick, Shelbie Hendrick, Walberto Zavala, Talon Hendrick, Terra Hendrick, Orson Hendrick, Reece Hendrick, and Deacon Hendrick; his great-grandchildren, Aria, Oliver, and Calvin; and his sisters, Sharon Ives and Lolly Ellis. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sandy, and his parents, Orson and Martha Hendrick. The words of James 1:12 offer a fitting reflection on Larry’s life: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Few words could better describe the way Larry lived. No one remained more loyal to his wife, his family, and his Lord. He worked hard. He served others. He loved his family without reservation. And through some of life’s most difficult trials, he remained steadfast. After 58 years together, there is comfort in knowing that Larry and Sandy are together once again. Welcome home, Dad. A memorial service celebrating the lives of both Larry and Sandy Hendrick will be held at McAllen First United Methodist Church on Saturday September 26 at 10:00 a.m. The church is located at 4200 N. McColl Rd. McAllen, Texas 78504. In lieu of flowers, the Hendrick family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at www.curealz.org