JB Hendrix

J.B. Hendrix of Albuquerque passed peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2014, surrounded by loved ones. Born January 19, 1921 in Clovis, NM, J.B. was the 2nd generation of eastern New Mexico homesteaders. A 1939 graduate of Clovis High School, J.B. also attended Eastern New Mexico University where he was on the �Roll of Honor�. By March of 1941, he was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a machinist apprentice. In July of 1942, J.B. married Paula M. Burrows of Clovis & to that union was born 3 daughters; Sharalynn, Anita & Rhonda. Paula and J.B. were happily married 53 years. J.B. was predeceased by his father: James W. Hendrix in 1970, mother: Ruby B. Leach in 1972, sisters: Aileen Fay in 1962 & Pauline (Punk) in 2010 & his beloved wife, Paula in 1996. J.B. was the last male of this Hendrix line. When World War II began, railway workers were exempt from military service due to the vital national security of the railroads. By May of 1943, because so many of his friends in the New Mexico National Guard were called to active duty & became embattled on the island of Bataan; he could no longer remain on the sidelines. He enlisted in the United States Navy on May 05, 1943 & served as a machinist aboard the USS Hoggatt Bay, CVE 75, a small aircraft carrier. Their field of operation was the Central & South Pacific. The USS Hoggatt Bay became known as �the sub-doer� because of her high achievement of sinking enemy submarines. At the end of WW II, citing 7 specific Pacific campaigns; the Secretary of the Navy awarded the Navy Unit Commendation to the Ship, Her Crew & the attached Air Squadrons for outstanding heroism in action against the enemy forces in the air, ashore & afloat. J.B. was discharged from the Navy in November of 1945. Upon his discharge, J.B. returned to work for the Santa Fe & began to build a successful 40 year career. He designed & helped develop specialized hydraulic equipment for the railroad & retired in 1983 as Engineer of the Centralized Work Equipment Shops; overseeing 173 employees & the maintenance of 12,500 miles of the rail system. An avid outdoorsman & early environmentalist, J.B. grew up hunting & fishing; he continued to fly fish into his 90s. He & his father, along with Officer Don Price of the NM Fish & Game Division, were instrumental in establishing a haven in eastern NM for the wild life of the region, as well as preserving a small part of the Llano Estacado; now known as the Running Water Draw and the Ned Houk Park. He was an officer & active in the VFW for many years & participated & held office in the USS Hoggatt Bay Assoc.; hosting a highly successful Albuquerque ship�s reunion in 2002. With a 5th wheel trailer, he & Paula traveled across the USA & went camping & fishing with dear friends for many years. He mastered fly tying, learned the art of Comanche Bead Work from a tribal member, grew gardens that fed family & neighbors & was always ready to lend a helping hand to others. In his late 60s, J.B. embraced the holistic health field & practiced herbology, reflexology & other energetic techniques. He also studied with the noted American herbalist, the late Hanna Kroeger & various spiritual & energetic teachers. Finding love once again, he married Florence E. Barker in April of 1999 & she survives him. He is also survived by his daughters: Sharalynn Rocha, of Denver, CO, Anita Hendrix (John Juric) of Belen, NM & Rhonda Hendrix (Kevin Haddock) of Reno, NV. He leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Jimmie Hester (Linda) of Clovis, NM, Kairen Rocha of Denver, CO, Michael McFarland of Corpus Christi, TX, Jeffrey Hester (Charlene) of Denver, CO, Jason Rocha of Johnstown, CO & Mark McFarland (Tanya)of Apache Junction, AZ. Also surviving are 7 great grandchildren & 4 great great grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews & numerous cousins also survive him. The family wishes to express our deep gratitude to: Mary D. Lucero & David Littrell; devoted care givers, Dr. David C. Leech & staff, the wonderful doctors at the ABQ VA Hospital, Dr. Barry Ramo & the skilled & loving people at Hospice de La Luz. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice de La Luz � 3812 Academy Parkway N.E. � Albuquerque, NM 87109 To share memories with the family, please go to www.danielsfuneral.com.