Clyde Smith Hendricks

Just a few months shy of turning 100, Clyde Smith Hendricks passed away on Sunday, February 7, at home with his family. His home was a central gathering place where we all loved to be with Dad/Gramps. Clyde was born May 24, 1916 in Cove, Utah to Alma and Almeda Larsen Hendricks. He was the youngest of nine children. On November 25, 1936, he married his sweetheart, Elaine Johnson, in the Logan Temple. She passed away October 1992. He missed her; always talking about her and taking flowers to her graveside for Mother’s Day  and Memorial Day. After getting married, they spent most of their lives in Richmond. During World War II, Clyde went to California to work. He needed to earn money to get electricity for the house they’d purchased in Richmond; the one he still lived in.

He earned the nickname “Tuffy” while playing football and basketball and also  running track in high school. Gramps enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids participating in all sports.

Learning how to work at a young age, Clyde helped at his dad’s grain mill in Cove and on the family farm. He worked various jobs and spent many years working as an operator for road construction. He retired after working as a custodian at Park School. One of his greatest passions was horses and horse racing. Riding with his friends in the mountains and in the Richmond Riding Club was something he always talked about. Training and racing horses for over forty years took him to many tracks in the west. This is a passion he passed on to his kids. Many memories have been made and fun times spent at the track.

An amazing garden is something Clyde was known for. He couldn’t wait for spring and for the ground to dry to get it planted. He was out every morning getting those one or two weeds and enjoyed sitting out back watching the garden grow. We all loved Gramps’ vegetables, and he shared with all of us. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had a strong testimony of the gospel.

Clyde’s proud family includes 4 children: Merris (Steven Peterson) both deceased, Clyde Norr (Sharon Eckersley), Suzanne (John Spencer), and Jalene; 6 grandchildren: Rand Hendricks, Sherri and Brett Hawkes, Stacy and Kelley Blauer, Marty and Greg Jones, Pamela and Kevin Heilfron, Trena and Joel Boehnke; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. We’re happy you get to be with your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, Grandpa!

The family would like to thank Dr. Gary Harris and Rocky Mountain Health Care and Hospice for their care of Gramps.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 11, at 12:00 noon in the Richmond Stake Center, 135 West Main in Richmond. A viewing will be held Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30 p.m. and Thursday from 10:30-11:30 also at the Stake Center. Interment will be held in the Richmond Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com