Jack Alvin Hendren

Jack Alvin Hendren passed away peacefully at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Salisbury on January 12, 2021.  He went home to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Peggy and son, Alan, at the age of 93.

Jack is survived by his loving sons, R. Wayne Hendren (Ebbie) and Jim Hendren.  He was predeceased by parents Wade Howell Hendren and Lexie Ozell Rudacil Hendren, his devoted son, Alan, and his loving wife of 52 years, Peggy (Turrentine).  “Pawpaw Jack” is lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Kristin (Matt), Jessica, Kate (Ben), Ryan, and Haydon, and by great-grandchildren Julia, Kyle, Killian, Rhodes, and Shepard.  His special friend Ginny Petrea blessed Jack’s later years and is honored for her steadfast companionship.

Jack was born and educated in Salisbury where he raised his family, worshipped, and worked, helping families make appliance and furniture purchases for over five decades before retiring at the age of 87.  He was a dedicated member and steward of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for over seven decades.  A man of modest means, Jack was enormously generous.  Jack lived his faith through his community service on the South Salisbury Fire Department Board of Directors and through exemplary philanthropy by giving freely of his resources to enhance the lives of disenfranchised children and the sick around the world and at home.

Jack heeded the call to his country’s service during World War II and reenlisted following his service in occupied Japan.  Jack was among the first soldiers to witness the devastation in Nagasaki.

Jack was an exemplary husband, father, and neighbor.  Hardworking and loyal, he will be remembered for his infectious smile, steadfast genuine love, calm demeanor, and thoughtful kindness.  Jack was an avid reader, crossword puzzle master, bird lover, woodworker, and gardener.  He grew his own crops, canned vegetables, and applied his green thumb to enviable beds of flowers, shrubs and trees.  Jack had a special empathy for babies and toddlers.  His grandchildren gravitated to him, and from a very young age they loved him.  After Peggy passed, he learned to cook and bake for family holiday gatherings.  The grandchildren looked forward to his famous green beans, cakes, pies, and sugar cookies.  Jack loved baseball, and he and Ginny enjoyed many Rowan County American Legion baseball games from their box seats.  Jack was a master wood worker known for his signature hand-made pie safes that became coveted family and community heirlooms.  Many of Jack’s pie safes were donated to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where they were auctioned for the benefit of the church.

Special thanks are extended to the caring nurses and staff of North Carolina State Veterans Home in Salisbury for their tireless dedication to Jack’s care and comfort to his family.  The family is especially thankful to Tiffany Ingold PA, Dr. Chetan Amin, and his long-time family physician Dr. Brent Seifert.

Following a 1:30 PM viewing at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, a funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, January 17.  Military rites will be performed by the US Army National Guard and the Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial gifts can be made to Meals on Wheels of Rowan, The Good Shepherd’s Clinic in Salisbury, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, the Breast Cancer Alliance, Fight Colorectal Cancer, or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.