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Joseph Rochel Hendrick, Sr.

Joseph Rochel Hendrick, Sr., age 93, passed away peacefully at Hospice Wendover in Shelby, NC.

Born in Cleveland County on October 25, 1927, he was the son of the late Andrew Ford and Beuna Borders Hendrick. Joe attended Shelby High School until leaving to serve his county in WWII with the Army Air Corps, 13thAir Force. His primary duties were air/sea rescue flights in the Pacific Theater. On his return from the service, Joe graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College with a BS degree in Business Administration. Shortly thereafter, he married his beloved Mary Anne. Throughout his career, Joe held positions in the corporate sector; however, his passion was serving the public sector. He held management positions in Melbourne/Brevard County Florida as well as Lumberton, NC. During his tenure as City Manager, Lumberton was awarded All-America City status in 1970. After returning to his hometown of Shelby, where he served as County Manager and County Commissioner, he established Cleveland County's Economic Development Commission.

Joe completed graduate school at the Institute of Government at UNC. While a student there, he assisted his preceptors, Dr. Jake Wicker and Dr. Donald Hayman, in rewriting course curricula. In addition to his academic career, he had a small role in NASA's space race by developing and managing utilities infrastructure in Cape Canaveral, FL.

He had been an active member of First Baptist Church of Shelby for most of his life. A Senior Member of the Rotary Club of Shelby, where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He also cherished his service as a Mason and a Shriner.

In addition to his loving wife and parents, Joe was preceded in death by his four brothers, Ford Jr., Bill, Jack, and Ned; brother-in-law, Mike; sister-in-law, Marie; and one nephew, Mark.

Joe is survived by a son, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, Jr. and wife Lori; his grandchildren Katherine Hendrick, DPT; Joseph Hendrick III; and Brandon Cody Gordon Freeman.

Graveside Service with military honors will be held Monday 4:00pm April 19, 2021 at Cleveland Memorial Park with Rev. Tony Tench and Carol Ann Hoard officiating. The family will receive friends following the graveside service.

The family has requested that those in attendance wear face coverings and practice social distancing.

Memorial donations may be made in his honor to First Baptist Church of Shelby, NC: 120 N. Lafayette Street Shelby, NC 28150, or Shelby Rotary Foundation: 520 E. Dixon Blvd Shelby, NC 28152.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home is serving the Hendrick family.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com


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