Dr. Samuel Hendrix III

Dr. Samuel B. Hendrix, III, of Norman, left this life on the Winter Solstice, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at 72.

He was born in Kingfisher on Jan. 10, 1947, to Lt. Col. Samuel B. Hendrix, Jr., and Ina Mae Noel Hendrix.

Samuel is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joan, of their home in Norman, and his sister Carol A. Murray, of Okarche, as well as two nephews and two nieces and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jean E. Mueggenborg and her husband David.

A brilliant scholar and member of Phi Kappa Phi, Samuel earned two master’s degrees from Central State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.

He loved to teach and became an air traffic management instructor for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1987 and later worked as an instructional systems designer for the FAA.

While at the FAA, he was elected union president of the Professional Association of Aeronautical Center Employees (PAACE) for 15 years from 1994 until 2009 when he retired.

Samuel enjoyed 10 beautiful years in retirement, enjoying travel to visit friends, and a quiet, but lively home life with his beloved rescue pets.

Sam loved to entertain his friends, he loved folk and rock music, he loved Native American art and artifacts, he loved...

His Native American heritage, spirit and love of life leave a lasting legacy.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Primrose Funeral Service Chapel in Norman.

Donations in his honor may be made to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society: https://www.okhumane. org/donate/memorial-donations/

Arrangements entrusted to Primrose Funeral Service, Norman. Sign the online guestbook at www.primrosefuneralservice.com