Orville Hendley

Our father, Orville William Hendley, went to be with the Lord on August 19, 2025. Orville, 93, was affectionately known as "Red".  He was born on December 29, 1931, to Orville C. and Margaret Hendley in Blessing, Texas.  His family moved to Sinton in 1943.  He attended Sinton High School where he excelled in sports earning him the 'Most Athletic' title.  After graduation, Red went to work for Plymouth Oil Company and was soon drafted into the army where he became a sergeant in his artillery battalion and was stationed in South Korea. Upon returning from the war, Red married his wife, Jeanette Dyer on June 6, 1953.  Together they raised four children.  Red attended the Sinton Church of Christ.  He continued to work for Plymouth Oil Company for several years and doing some part-time work for Keith Robertson who owned a sign shop in Sinton.  It wasn't long before he opened his own shop and went into sign painting full time.  Much of his sign work can be seen throughout Sinton and the surrounding area as he took great care in the quality of his work, choosing the best material to work with.  He would tell you that a good sign should last for decades, and this is evident in the fact that many can still be seen today after having been painted many years ago.  Red was a passionate craftsman. He soon discovered his passion for carving and some years later was asked to carve the ivory tusks for a bronze-casted elephant commissioned by the state of Texas that would sit on the desk of Governor Bill Clements during his first term in office. Over the years, Red produced dozens of beautiful carvings from wood, semi-precious stone, and ivory. The Houston Chronicle and The Corpus Christi Caller Times featured articles with photos of his work. In the articles, Red gave insight on some of his most detailed pieces. The Hendley living room shelves display these amazing works of art. One reporter wrote about Red's recollection of his childhood growing up during WWII.  Toys were scarce during that time so he would take old apple crates and carve out his own toys to play with. 

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He and Jeanette enjoyed travelling together and visited Spain, Alaska, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and all the national parks in the western U.S. During his trip to Alaska, Red went to visit the owner of an Anchorage sign shop.  The shop happened to need a journeyman sign painter and Red was hired to work as much as he wanted. The 20 hours of daylight afforded him plenty of time to fish after putting in time at the shop. He enjoyed anything that had to do with being outdoors. The backyard seemed to always have a vegetable garden growing and was adorned with birdhouses he would make.  We enjoyed his homemade beef jerky and those pickled cucumbers, always a treat. Watching the tide and weather forecasts were important to him so he could plan his fishing trips to the bay.  He had a passion for playing golf, encouraging his children and grandchildren in the sport as well. Most mornings would find him up early to have coffee and visit with friends at the coffee shop. During the holidays he would design one-of-a kind Christmas cards to send to those friends as well as to family members.

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Always expanding his knowledge of artistic challenges, Red would try new things in his shop. He taught himself and made a silk screen frame to produce special signs.  It was amazing to watch.  He took calligraphy classes and started producing special fonts, long before the internet did it for you. 

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 In the last few years, he took up painting on canvas, choosing nature and landscapes as his subjects.  His beautiful art brightened up his room in the nursing home sparking plenty of conversation to those who came in.  It seemed every new piece was a chance for him to try something new with his technique.  That was Red, always improving on an idea or skill.  Talking with him, you could acquire a wealth of information about art and painting techniques. 

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Anyone who knew him remembers his sense of humor.  When asked "How are you feeling today?" he would answer with a percentage number.  He made us laugh and will be remembered for his quick wit and great sense of humor, amazing artistic talents, and faithfulness to friends and family.

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Red Hendley's legacy Hues on in the artistry of the carvings he poured his heart and soul into and the humor he brought to us in his stories and observations.

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Red was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Jeanette Hendley, and his grandson, Wesley Phillips.

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He is survived by his children, Linda Phillips and husband Larry, Brinda Jones and husband Ray, Stacy Hendley and wife Shannon, and Tracy Hendley; grandchildren Taylor Phillips, Meagan Hawthorn, Denton Fromme, Deret Fromme and Kyle Hendley, plus nine great-grandchildren.  Services will be held at the Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home in Sinton on September 8th at 10:30 a.m. with a committal service to follow at 1:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas.