John M. Hendricks

John M. Hendricks One of the biggest fans of Starkville, MS and Mississippi State University, John M. Hendricks, 76, passed away on Oct. 15, 2025, after a brave fight with cancer. John was born in Meridian, MS and graduated from Meridian High School in 1967, where he enjoyed playing in the band. John received the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts and was active in the First Presbyterian Church. He then went on to attend Mississippi State University where he graduated in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in marketing and a master's degree in business administration in 1973. While at MSU, John was a member of the Famous Maroon Band. John loved the MSU Bulldogs and had season tickets for every major sport. John traveled with family and friends to many Bulldog games around the country over the years. John was a life-long member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He proudly served MSU's Epsilon-Chi Zeta Chapter as its advisor for many years. His tenure as Lambda Chi Alpha advisor included development and construction of the chapter's house on MSU's Fraternity Row. Over the years, John received many awards from the fraternity in recognition of his service. Among those awards were the Order of Merit and Outstanding Alumnus. John's long retail industry career began in Jackson, MS at McRae's Department Store and included a relocation to Tupelo, MS to the McRae's store there. During his time in Tupelo, John first had the idea to open a Mississippi State apparel store named The Lodge in Starkville, with its first location opening in a small retail area on Highway 12 in front of the city's first Walmart. John subsequently relocated The Lodge to a retail space next to the former Sack and Save grocery store closer to the MSU campus. When the opportunity presented itself, John purchased part of the Southdale Shopping Center and moved the Lodge next to Harvey's restaurant. The Lodge served many MSU fans at this location over the years. After a few years, he opened The Lodge Books and Gifts and eventually Ruckus, which sold party goods and novelties. A few years ago, John retired after selling The Lodge to Alumni Hall. He also was an active business partner in University Screenprint located in Southdale Shopping Center. John was instrumental in organizing a national buying group of college apparel stores, University Spirit of America. John was active in the Starkville community with membership in the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Quarterback Club, Oktibbeha County MSU Alumni and Starkville Community Theatre. Having been raised in the Presbyterian faith, John joined First Presbyterian Church in Starkville. Years later, he became an active member of First United Methodist Church, where he sang in the Chancel Choir and served on the finance committee. John was active in the FUMC singles group in the 1980's and enjoyed participating in a Supper Club with many life-long friends. He was a founding member of Starkville Global Methodist Church and served in the choir and on the Administrative Board. Funeral services will be held at Welch Funeral Home on October 18th with Rev. Bob Rambo officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 with the service immediately afterwards. Following the services, John will be buried next to his parents at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian, MS. John is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Maron Hendricks and Maurine Kennedy Hendricks, and his brother, Thomas Kennedy Hendricks. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Angela Hendricks Jones; his nephew, Thomas Allen Hendricks and his wife, Amy; and his niece, Laura Hendricks Weaver, and her husband, Murry. He is also survived by his great-nieces, Sarah Miller Salazar, and her husband, Pedro, and Elizabeth Tapley and her husband, Bobby; great-nephew Harper Hendricks, and his fiancée, Willow Thomas; and great-great-nieces, Amelia Salazar and Charlotte Tapley. The family wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to the staff at The Carrington Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Gentiva Hospice for their beautiful and loving care of John. Memorial donations may be made to the Starkville Global Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1791, Starkville, MS, 39760, or the Famous Maron Band: https://dda.msstate.edu/give-now?f=310904 or mail checks to: MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762.