Jay Hendricks

Jay Fletcher Hendricks affectionately called "Jay Bird" by family and friends was born on February 1, 1948, in Denver, Colorado to his parents, Clyde Hendricks and Florine Harris. He had one brother, Duane and a sister, Mary. He received his formal education in Denver, where he graduated from Annunciation Catholic Church School in 1966. He furthered his education by attending Metro State College, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. On October 13, 1967, Jay united in holy matrimony to the former Thella M. Barber. To this union, a beautiful baby daughter, they named Shakira was born. With this union of marriage, he became the father of Octavia and Kimmy. He was also blessed with two more children, Akilah and Aaron. The family shared many happy and memorable moments together. This marriage was later dissolved but he and Thella remained in close contact with each other over the years. Jay was later blessed with seven grandchildren, Josef, Darjae, Larry, Mont'e, Aviance, Kelisha and Iayana; and eleven great grandchildren, Josef, Jr., Jourdyn, Siriyan, Jamal, Jayden, Zytaevius, Markell, Malik, Marquis and Romel who were all an additional source of joy and pride in his life. They lovingly called him "papa or grandpa" and fondly remember all the happy and precious moment they all shared together. Jay worked as a Swim Instructor for the City and County of Denver Department of Recreation for a number of years. He was assigned to the Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center. He is best remembered as a hardworking and very conscientious. A man of faith and belief in the Lord, Jay was a member of Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Thelma Sidberry. Jay was a fun loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled. In his free time, he continued to enjoy swimming, visiting the beautiful mountains of Colorado, listening to music, watching wrestling and Rifle Man on television. His closest friends, Horace Kearney, Dennis Green and Willie Chapman will miss the camaraderie's they all shared together and the fact that he was a true and trusted friend. A final fond memory shared by all who knew and loved Jay was to hear him at the end of any conversation never saying, "Goodbye." He would simple say, "I'm Out." To know Jay was to love him. Jay Fletcher Hendricks departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on June 16, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory include his former wife, Thella M. Hendricks of Denver; 1 son, Aaron T. Hendricks of Denver; 5 daughters, Octavia D. (Gregory) Reed of Orlando, FL, Kimmy D. Barber of Aurora, Shakira Hendricks of Atlanta, Georgia and Akilah L. Hendricks (Arthur Traylor) of Denver; his sister, Mary L. Gaskin of Denver; 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 6/25/2015 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 6/26/2015 at 9:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 6/26/2015 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO