Donald Albert Hendricks, 91, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2021. Don was born in Omaha, NE on May 10, 1929 to Albert and Elizabeth (Schulte) Hendricks. In 1939, the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Don attended school, graduating from Dowling Catholic High School for boys in 1947.
The years immediately after graduation were a great adventure for Don. He hitchhiked west to work as a ranch hand in MT; jumped freight cars to Seattle where he worked as a longshoreman; and drove up the Alaska/Canadian Highway to look for railroad work in Alaska.
Don received his draft notice for the Korean War in 1951. After completing basic training at Camp Roberts, CA, and Intelligence School in Maryland, Don was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, in the Counterintelligence Corps.
In 1954, Don returned to MT where he enrolled at the Montana School of Mines in Butte. Within four years, Don had met and married his beloved wife Natalie “Tootsie” Tomich, started a family and still graduated with Honors – earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering.
Don’s professional mining career began with 12+ years at the MT Phosphate Co./ Comico as Chief Engineer followed by 13+ years at the Anaconda Company, where he was Chief Operations Engineer. After the closure of the Berkeley Pit in 1982, Don worked well into his 80’s as a Professional Land Surveyor. He also returned to his alma mater, MT Tech, as a professor, where he taught Land Surveying for several years.
Don and Tootsie lived and raised their four children in Deer Lodge. Don was an avid golfer and a founding member of the Deer Lodge Golf Course. He also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing trips with his three boys and was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge of Deer Lodge. Don was well traveled, well-read, with a keen intellect and a great memory that made him an excellent conversationalist and storyteller. With a glass of wine in one hand and vanilla smoke rising from his pipe, Don could tell stories for hours. He was a remnant of a bygone era and a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Don was preceded in death by his “sweetheart” of 60 years, Natalie (Tomich) Hendricks and his parents Albert and Elizabeth Hendricks.
He is survived by son, Tom (Cindy) Hendricks of Marysville, WA; son, Ken (Lori) Hendricks of Casper, WY; son, Jim (Lisa) Hendricks of Allen, TX; daughter, Jill (Keith) Dixon of Oklahoma City, OK; sister, Karen (Dan) of Florence, OR; sister-in-law, Joann (Ken) of Cut Bank, MT; 8 much-loved granddaughters, 2 great-grandchildren, and beloved nephews & nieces.
Services to be announced and held at a later date.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Donald.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Donald and his family.
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Denise Horne says
Jill and Families so sorry to hear about your Dad
keith dyas says
Sally and I were saddened to learn of Don’s death. We were longtime friends.
In 1991 Don surveyed the elevations in Anaconda for me and located a spot on the City Commons that was exactly one mile(5280 ft.) high where we placed a mile high monument.
Keith Dyas
Parker, Colorado
Lori Johns says
Our hearts ache. Such a huge loss to all who knew him. Don was everyone’s favorite, and always made you feel so comfortable and that he was truly excited to see you. When we bought some property 6 years ago, he offered to come down and survey so we knew where the property lines were. His mind was always so sharp, and he was a true gentleman. At the golf course he was always Kyla’s favorite, him and Kenny Fleming. She would look forward to going to work just to see them. God broke the mold when he made Don. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Mike & Lori Johns
Donna & Larry Colvin says
We our so sorry to read that your dad has passed away. He was a gentleman in every way and just an all around great person. He made you feel as though you had known him forever and he made this world a better place. We are certain your mom was there to greet him, what a great couple. May God bless you all.
Donna & Larry Colvin
Jody King-Nielsen says
Jill, my deepest condolences to you and all the family. Your father was, in my mind, the ideal of a dad. I’ll always remember how welcome he made me feel in your home. I picture him with his glass of wine raised and a big smile on his face – it was hard not to smile when he was smiling. I’m blessed to have met him, and know you’ll all miss him greatly.
Jeri Payne Pearson says
Hi guys,
I was so sad to hear about the loss of your dad. When I was the Powell County Visiting Nurse he was my favorite patient for those 4 years. I loved hearing all his stories. I actually changed the time of when I would go visit him to be the last patient of the morning, because that way I could use part of my noon hour to visit longer. I took care of your mom briefly too before she went to the nursing home. I was glad I could bring my camper over to use when you had a family reunion. Don will always have a special place in my heart. I know you guys are scattered all over the place but I hope you will have a get together so I can give each of you a hug. Love, Jeri Payne Pearson.