Jerome Wayne HENDREN

1947 - 2018

HENDREN, Jerome Wayne "Jerry"

Born November 4, 1947 died February 26, 2018 at the age of 70. Jerry is survived by his mother Shirley Hendren, his wife Sheryl Hendren, his sisters Karla Gallaway, Marilee Walker, his three children Tom (Karen) Hendren, Amanda (Adam) Saliba, Alisha Hendren, stepchildren Lisa (Mike) Carr, Gavin (Jen) Clark, many nieces, nephews and eight grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father Wayne Hendren, son Christopher Hendren, and niece Karen Gallaway. Jerry was born in Spokane and lived all of his life in Spokane. He was an athlete who played football at Shadle Park High School and in 1965 he was All-City, All-State, Prep All-American, Co Lineman of the Year for the state of Washington as well as player of the year. He was recruited by the Idaho Vandals and played there for three years. When he completed his college football career he had set every receiving record at Idaho except the longest touchdown catch. Many of his records stood unbroken for years. He played five college all-star games his senior year, he was only one of three players to do that. He led the nation in 1969 with 95 receptions. Jerry was the Big Sky Player of the Year in 1968 and 1969, the Inland Empire Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1968 and 1969, and the North Idaho Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1968 and 1969. Jerry was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 4th round of the 1970 NFL draft. He played one season due to shoulder injuries that forced him to retire. Jerry was inducted into the North Idaho Hall of Fame in 1990, and the University of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, the first year it opened. In 2013 he was named as the 42nd Greatest Men's Athlete in the Big Sky Conference of the top 50 Greatest Men's Athletes.
Jerry had a long and distinguished career with the Spokane County Sheriff Department. He spent 11 years on patrol, 7 years as an under cover officer and finally 11 years as a detective investigating physically and sexually abused children.
Jerry was an avid golfer. In 1983 he shot a 64, an amateur course record at Hangman during a pro-am tournament. He participated in many pro-am tournaments. He had multiple holes-in-one. One of his favorite places in the world was the golf course.
At his request, there will be no funeral. Donations may be made at any Numerica Credit Union, in the Jerome W. Hendren Memorial Fund, for a memorial bench to be placed at Wandermere Golf Course, any left-over funds will be donated to animal shelters.