Donald Clayton Hendrickson died peacefully March 25, 2019. He was born In Seattle Washington on January 11, 1932. His father was Joseph E. Hendrickson and his mother was Irene Combs. Donald’s wife, Donna Carson Hendrickson proceeded him in death 3 years ago. They had been married for 63 years. Don is survived by his 6 children, 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grand children, and his brother, William Kastens.
Donald grew up in Bellevue Washington living there until he started High School when he moved to Oakland California to live with his mother and step father, Earl Kastens. He graduated from Castle Mont High School.
After High School graduation Don attended San Jose Junior College for a short time before enlisting in the California Air National Guard and being assigned to Geiger Field in Spokane Washington. There he attended Land to Air Communications School and he was then put in the Air Force and re-assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Continental Divide New Mexico. It was while there that he met Donna.
After marriage they moved to Oakland California for a short time where he was an apprentice at the Auto Toggery, an upholstery shop for cars. They then relocated to Bellevue Washington where Don set up his own business reupholstering car seats and interiors. When Donna developed asthma in the moist North West climate they moved back to Donna’s home on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. On the Reservation Don worked at a Trading Post. While there their first child, Laurie Gay was born. They lived there until their second child, Donald Joe was born and they then moved into Gallup, New Mexico to be close to medical and other amenities.
While in Gallup, 2 more children, Richard John and Susan Joy, joined the family. Don worked a variety of jobs including another upholstery shop, a new car lot, and finally managing Firestone Tire. The family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1964. Two more children, Jared Carson and Scott Aaron were born there. Don again managed several different tire companies, often traveling all over Northern Arizona and the Navajo and Hopi Reservations calling on clients. The family moved to Tempe Arizona in 1983. Don worked for America West Airlines in their seat shop before “retiring” and starting his own business, the Motorcycle Seat Shop. Don continued to do motorcycle seats right to the end of his life. He enjoyed visiting with his customers and sharing stories of his life.
Donald was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many positions over the years, his favorite being a Stake Mission Leader. Don’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and being around people.