Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Antoine Resident Was Serving First Term As Arkansas

State Representative; Active In Farming, Family Bank A freak riding accident claimed the life of freshman representative Gerald Hendrix Wednesday, April 24.

The accident occurred around 10:45 a.m. while Hendrix, who represented District 18 in the Arkansas House of Representatives, was rounding up cattle on his Pike County farm at Antoine with his son, David.

According to his son, the horse either stumbled or pitched forward, causing Hendrix to lose his seat and fall on his head.

Hendrix's uncle, Buford Hendrix, said his nephew was an experienced rider who had been around horses his entire life.

However, Darwin Hendrix, Gerald's brother, said this was a relatively new horse Gerald had been riding for about a month.

Those who knew the 63-year-old Hendrix praised him as a gentleman who was honest and did everything he could to help others.

Darwin Hendrix, president of the Bank of Delight, said his brother taught him and his boys how to work.

He recalled when Hendrix and Mack Hillery contracted heavy equipment out of Prescott and worked around the area.

"He was a second father to us," Hendrix said of his brother. "Our father (Olen) was in politics and banking.

"Gerald would come by and get me during the summer, taking me with him to hustle dozers and tractors around. I'd pump fuel and clean out the tracks."

Hendrix said theirs is a close-knit family and Gerald will be deeply missed.

He recalled his brother's wife, saying she was amazing. "I farmed with him when I was a boy," he said. "Me and the hired hands worked the farm. She fixed a big breakfast for us, brought us a lunch out to the fields and would have supper ready when we came in after dark."

Darwin said Gerald was enjoying his grandchildren more since retiring from the banking business, playing golf and relaxing prior to the accident. "He liked to ride horses and take the children with him," he said.

"He loved people and wanted to help. He'd do anything he could to help someone.

"He enjoyed being a legislator because it allowed him to help more people. He was well respected in Little Rock. Gerald was truthful and everyone knew it."

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor feels the loss of Hendrix not only as a first cousin, but as a powerful ally in the House.

Taylor said Hendrix had been leading the fight to get the new prison to locate in Prescott. "He was doing everything he could to get it here," he said.

Taylor and Hendrix grew up together, being raised close by one another and attending school together. They also worked together on the farm.

"He was a gentleman," Taylor said. "He liked to work with and help people. He was grateful to be in a position to help and serve people (as legislator).

"He was a great asset to Prescott, and we'll miss his expertise in the legislature."

State Representative Percy Malone sat in front of Hendrix in the House Chamber.

He praised the later legislator as being an able, qualified and compassionate individual who "was always concerned about how his vote would affect people."

Malone said he admired Hendrix a great deal, adding he will be missed in the House.

"He had a good sense of humor about him," Malone said. "He didn't take himself too seriously. He was easy going and easy to get along with."

According to Malone, Hendrix didn't go looking for fights in the House, but always stood his ground.

"I was in a committee-meeting in Little Rock when I heard," Malone said. "I told everyone in the House. We were all in shock.

"I take this as a personal loss of a good friend."

Malone and Hendrix served on the Public Transportation Committee together. Malone said he and Hendrix worked together to get Highway 8 between Amity and Arkadelphia widened and improved.

Hendrix's district covered parts of Howard, Pike, Clark, Sevier, Hot Spring and Garland counties.

Pike County Judge Curtis Turner also knew Hendrix as a good and gentle man who was always willing to lend a helping hand.

"He was an outstanding person in the county," Turner said. "We worked closely together during the session and had a good relationship.

"He was always sincere in what he did; was easy to talk to and proud of (Pike) county.

He was a real good person. This was a shock to us all, and we're sorry it happened."

Gary McCauley, branch manager of the Bank of Delight in Prescott, said Hendrix was a good person who was very kind-hearted and easy to work with and for.

"He was a good man," McCauley said. "He will be missed at the bank."

State Senator Mike Ross also spoke of Hendrix in glowing terms. He said Hendrix was no stranger to politics though he was in his first term in the House. This was because his father, Olen, was a state senator for many years.

"Gerald was a kind person," Ross said. "He took the time to stop on the street and visit with and listen to people.

He did a good job of representing the people he served. He took the job seriously. He will be sorely missed by many people throughout the area and those of us who had the privilege of serving with him in the legislature."

Services for Hendrix were held Friday.