Marion, Va.

Walter Eugene “Gene” Hendrick, Jr., 93, passed away Tuesday May 5, 2026 at Francis Marion Manor in Marion, Virginia.

Gene, as he was known by many, was born May 16, 1932 in Salem, Virginia to the late Walter E. and Opal Ogle Hendrick of Roanoke, Virginia. He was a devoted Christian and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Marion, Virginia. Almost every Sunday morning he could be found in Church. He was proud of his long line of Patriots, the first who settled in Eastern Virginia on the south bank of the Mattaponi River in 1680 with a patent of 594 acres of land granted by the King of England. He had several relatives that served in the Revolutionary War. His great-grandfather joined the Confederacy in the Civil War in 1861, and served in the 42nd Virginia Infantry. He was wounded twice, the first time at the battle of Kernsville, Virginia where he was reported “killed in action” by his own retreating troop’s but he survived, and the second time at Chancellorsville, Virginia. He returned to battle each time after healing, and served until the end of the war, when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, Virginia in 1865, from where he walked home with his rifle to Concord, Virginia. Gene tried to continue the tradition by dedicating his life serving the public and helping the needy whenever the opportunity presented itself. Not for public glory, but he liked to do a good deed secretly, and then fade away in the background only asking the recipient if he ever had the opportunity, to help another person in need. He worked 39 years with the U.S. Geological Survey, and was the Chief of the Marion Sub-District Office for the last 16 years, and was also responsible for the operations of the Charlottesville, Virginia office. He was a licensed realtor with Century 21 John Tate Realtors. He was elected to 4 terms on the Marion Town Council for a total of 16 years and 4 years as Vice Mayor of Marion. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the W.W. Scott Senior Citizen Center from 1995 – 1998, when it operated independently, and then he was instrumental in getting the Town of Marion to take it over and fund the operation for the Seniors of Marion. He was a member of the Board of Directors for District Three Governmental Cooperative for 16 years, and served as Chairman of that Board from May 2000 to September 2002, and saw it grow into a multi-million-dollar organization that still serves the elderly of the region. Working through District Three, he was a major force in getting the Marion Transit System operational in Marion. Gene was a life member of Elks Lodge #1847, life member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Marion, serving as President of this club in 1995. He was elected and served as Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis, Capital District, Division 3 in 1998 until December 31, 2016. He was a good woodworker, carpenter and electrician, and never hired anything done at home as he did it all himself, and in addition he loved golf. He was a member of Holston Hills Country Club for 53 years. He was elected by the membership to 3 separate terms of 3 years on the Club’s Board of Directors over those years. He was president of Holston Hills Country Club in 1992, and served as Treasurer 1993-1995. In his retirement years he played golf on an average of 3 times a week when weather permitted. He was lucky enough to make two holes-in-one at Holston Hills, one in 1991 and the other in 2004. His other passion was travel. He visited every state in the United States, most Countries in Europe, went on many cruises, including two trans-Atlantic trips and one all the way through the Panama Canal, his favorite. Gene was elected to the Board of Directors of the Settlers Museum in 1992 and has served as Chairman of that board from 2005 until December 31, 2016 when he resigned. In 2010 Smyth County Tourism Association presented Gene with their “Most Beautiful Peoples Award”. Everything Gene was involved in or took part in was always better when he was finished.

Gene was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Doris J. Hendrick of Marion, Virginia; Lillian Francis Hendrick of Salem, Virginia; and Lucille H. Garris of Kingsport, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Letitia “Tish” Hendrick of Marion, Virginia; sons, Walter E. Hendrick, III of Berkley Heights, New Jersey; John P. Hendrick and wife, Keary; grandson, Evan P. Hendrick and granddaughter, Sarah S. Hendrick, all of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Funeral Services will be held Friday May 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Marion, Virginia with Reverend Doctor James Bennington officiating. Graveside Services will be held Friday May 8 at 2:00 p.m. with family and friends meeting at the cemetery at Evergreen Burial Park at 1307 Summit Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Food and Fellowship Program, First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion, VA 24354 or to the charity of your choice.

To share memories of Walter Eugene Hendrick, Jr, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Gene’s family has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion Va. 24354.