Guy Hendrix

March 27, 1928 - Oct. 15, 2013

Guy Hendrix, a longtime resident of Corvallis and local businessman, died on Oct. 15 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

Guy was born on March 27, 1928, in Ely, Nev., to Laurin and Florence Hendrix. He attended high school in Yerington, Nev.; graduated from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago; and later took classes at Oregon State College.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1945 and took basic training at Ft. Crowder, Mo. He became an instructor in the Signal Corps School at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. He then began a tour of duty in Germany in January 1947. While in Berlin he met Evelyne, who was working in telephone information for the U.S. Occupation troops. They were married on June 19, 1948, in Berlin.

Guy was honorably discharged in the late summer of 1948 and came to work for West Coast Telephone Co. (now Pioneer Telephone Co.) in Philomath. In 1950 he began an apprenticeship in sheet metal at Corvallis Hardware, but by 1952 was a foreman for its sheet metal shop. Late in 1952, he and his wife began their own business in furnace installation and repair, later known as Hendrix Heating and Mechanical Contracting.

Guy not only managed the business but also was a journeyman sheet metal worker, journeyman licensed steamfitter, liquid petroleum gas installer and L.E. electrician. He retired on Dec. 31, 1993. After being retired for 19 years, Guy took over a failing heating and air conditioning business in early 2012. He turned it around and ran it until February 2013.

Guy served nine years on the Corvallis School Board, including two years as chair. He also served two terms on the Corvallis City Council. He completed a three-year term as president of American Legion Post 11 last June. He was a member of the Oregon State University Beaver Club. He was actively involved in the Corvallis-Uzhhorod Sister City program.

Guy was a pilot, and owned a Piper Cherokee 180 and later a Piper Arrow aircraft. In 1971 Guy and Evelyne participated in the London-Victoria Air Race, which was held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the province of British Columbia, Canada. Guy and Evelyne's plane was the smallest and slowest in the event. On their return they were recognized by the city for bringing honor and prestige to Corvallis.

In 1975 they were invited to take part in promoting the Olympic Games by flying a small plane from Montreal, Canada (the site of the summer games), to Innsbruck, Austria (the site of the winter games).

Guy and Evelyne traveled to more than 60 countries, including Bhutan, Tanzania, Siberia and the continent of Antarctica. Guy was traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway when he took ill.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Evelyne; daughters, Dr. Rose Marie Hendrix, Kathleen Burke and Patricia Souvey; grandchildren Caitlin Hendrix, and Christopher and Benjamin Souvey; sister, Melba Nevin; brother, Roy Hendrix; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughter Elizabeth in 1978.

His friends and family will remember him as a man of impeccable integrity, strong work ethic and the courage to "call it as I see it," qualities that live on in his children and grandchildren.

Memorial services will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Grace Lutheran Church, with interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the USO or the Salvation Army. Please leave your thoughts and memories for the family at www.mchenry

funeralhome.com.