Ralph Warren Hendricks Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ralph Warren Hendricks passed away peacefully on October 19, 2020, in Wellington, Florida. He will be laid to rest at the South Florida National Cemetery October 30, on what would have been his 89th birthday. Ralph is predeceased by his parents, three brothers, and sister. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Laurie Jane; two children, Ralph Gregory (Greg) Hendricks of Merritt Island and Valorie McGee of Wellington; 4 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. Ralph was born October 30, 1931, in Miami, Florida. After spending a portion of his youth in rural Georgia, he returned to Florida. He served 35 years with the City of Miami Fire Department, spending the last 25 years at Station 8 in Coconut Grove. During the Korean War, Ralph took time away from the fire department to serve his country in the US Navy aboard the newly recommissioned USS The Sullivans (Plank Owner, DD-537). In his free time, Ralph enjoyed supporting the Florida High School Athletic Association. He spent 25 happy years as a football referee and was recognized as a Superior Official. He also loved watching college football and was a life-long Miami Hurricane fan. Ralph got his first taste of world travel while in the Navy, but Ralph and Laurie travelled all over the US and Europe in the last 60 years. From roadtrips with the kids to cruising the Mediterranean, they saw it all. Following his retirement in 1985, Ralph and Laurie sold the house, loaded up their motor home, and traveled the country for 5 adventurous years. One of Ralph’s passions in life was golf and he was known to play 5 days a week. He played all across the country and even had the chance to play a round at “the home of golf”, St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland. Ralph, an avid reader himself, was the family’s premier storyteller. He loved sitting down with the family and regaling them with his many adventurous tales of the past, peppered with hearty laughs, crossword puzzle and a rum and coke in-hand. According to Laurie, “Life was a bowl of cherries to Ralph. He always loved what he was doing. He loved the fire department, he loved the Navy, and he enjoyed everything life handed him.” Ask any who knew him, and their memories of Ralph will be filled with his laughter, joy, and warmth. Attendance at the service will be limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to attend, please contact the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support the USS The Sullivans at the Buffalo Naval Park, in Buffalo, NY. The exhibition of the ship was a cause near and dear to Ralph’s heart. Donations can be made at https://buffalonavalpark.org

Ralph Warren Hendricks

October 30, 1931 - October 19, 2020