Donald James "DJ" Hendrickson

1954 - 2025

Donald James "DJ" Hendrickson
DJ Hendrickson of Chardon, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29th at 70 years old in the comfort of his own backyard. He will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and hearty laugh.
DJ was born on August 9, 1954, in Waukegan, Illinois. He graduated from high school in Babbitt, Minnesota, where he learned industrial arts, made lots of friends, and developed his love for the outdoors. He was a man of many hats, working with dynamite at the mine, construction in various trades, modeling men's clothes, and operating a resort, just to name a few. Then he traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, where he graduated from IT Construction School as an electrician.
In Phoenix, DJ met Helen on the side of the road changing her flat tire, and it was truly love at first sight. They were sweethearts and best friends for 40 years. After they married, the happy couple moved to Chardon, Ohio, where DJ worked at Geauga Park District for 12 years in the maintenance department. He built bridges, fishing platforms, and long staircases through wooded ravines. He loved the parks and the family of folks behind it all.
DJ was creative and took beautiful nature photos, painted landscapes, taught himself to read music, and played popular melodies on bass guitar. DJ's passion for nature took him and his bride out hiking, bird watching, canoeing, fishing, camping, barbequing, and just hanging out in the yard a lot. He loved to feed the birds and the chipmunks, some of which he trained to eat out of his hand. DJ had a way with animals and was quick to rescue wild critters in trouble. He will surely be greeted in Heaven by dearly departed dogs, cats, and other menagerie of wildlife.
DJ is survived by his loving wife, Helen Hendrickson; his siblings, Gary (Sue) Hendrickson, Cheryl (Kevin) Daly, Diane (Todd) Ahlquist, Ed Hendrickson, and Steve (Lisa) Hendrickson. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends, extended family, and wonderful neighbors.
A celebration of life picnic will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Headwaters Park Crystal Lake Shelter at 2:00 p.m. for food, photos, and musical sharing.