Alvin Andy Hendrex 1931-2007

Alvin Andy Hendrex left his earthbound home at the age of 75 after a courageous battle with lung cancer on January 29th to join his lord in heaven and dance with the angels. He departed from this world at his daughter's home, less than one mile from his birthplace, with all of his family at his bedside. He was born on Easter morning, April 5th, 1931, west of Adair, OK, in an area formerly known as Loaf community. He was known to many as Big Al, or Shorty, and he was known as Pepa to all of his family.

He graduated from Adair High School in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 - 1954. He was Sergeant 1st Class and served in the Korean War. He worked for the U. S. Postal Service for 29 years, retiring in 1986. More recently he was employed at Bank of Oklahoma's Muskogee branch. He was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation. He was also a charter member of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest, as well as an officer of the American Legion and a member of VFW.

Al had many hobbies, including traveling in his RV, carpentry, dancing, and gardening. He has been characterized as having a personality that is a mix between film characters Atticus Finch and George Bailey. He was a virtuous, loving family man. He always had kind words for his friends and family, and lived by the words "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". He was the type of person that his grandchildren aspire to be.

Alvin was preceded in his trip to heaven by his parents, Virgil Felix and Lura Mae Hendrex; two brothers, James and Kenneth; his sister-in-law, Etta "Dutch" Haworth and one great-grandson, Rickey Scott Huckleby.

He is survived by the love of his life, Barbara Barrett, of Mounds, OK and his loving daughter, Debbie Huckleby, and son-in-law, Rick Huckleby of Adair, OK; his brothers, Charles Hendrex of Kingman, AZ and Virgil Hendrex and wife, Janeille, of San Antonio, TX; sister, Norma Lee Hendrex, of Pryor, OK; his grandchildren, Randy Huckleby and wife Alicia of Adair and Brandon Huckleby and wife Liz of Adair and Charles Cushman and wife Brenda of McAllen, TX, Gurie Huckleby and wife Rebecca, Tamisa Huckleby, Amanda Huckleby, Jesse Huckleby, Brian Huckleby, and Aaron Huckleby all of Adair, OK and great-grandchildren, Andrew, Rylan, Christina, Ashton, Zeth, and Wyatt.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Fosters' Ivory Chapel with Chaplain Vern Thornburg officiating. Military Honors will presented after the service by members of American Legion Post 15. Interment will follow in Old Adair Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Hayner, Mel Harrison, Mike Dugger, Randy Huckleby, Brandon Huckleby, Gurie Huckleby and Charles Cushman. Friends may wish to remember Alvin by making memorials to the American Cancer Society, 5110 S. Yale, Suite 101, Tulsa, OK 74135 or their local Hospice. The family would like to thank Professional Team Hospice and Trinity Hospice for all of their excellent care.

Pepa, we all miss you and we will always love you.

Funeral service arrangements are under the direction of Foster-Petering Funeral Home.