- Date Of Birth: December 28, 1933
- Date Of Death: February 9, 2018
- State: Maryland
On February 9, 2018 Otis Cleveland Hendrix of Severn, MD was called home to be with his Lord. Following a brief illness, he went peacefully with his family by his side with his pride and dignity intact. Born in Coffeeville, Mississippi he joined the Army in 1949 and served honorably for 27 years.
Otis entered the US Army on February 1, 1949 at Ft Jackson SC, where he completed 16 weeks of infantry basic training followed by relocation to Ft. Benning, GA to attend Airborne Basic and Ranger Training. He served with the 325 Airborne Infantry Regiment at Ft Benning, GA. CSM Hendrix is a graduate of the Senior Noncommissioned Officers academy at Ft Benning and the Seventh US Army Leadership academy where he graduated 4th in his class, receiving the General Douglas MacArthur award for class leadership. He is a graduate of the Senior Armor Academy at Fort Knox, KY.
He served as an instructor at the Armor School at Forth Knox, KY. Other assignments include: Senior Advisor to the Program Manager of the MBT 70 US & Germany Main Battle Tank Program. Scout Section Commander, 14th Armored Calvary Regt, First Sergeant A Company, 14th Cavalry(Germany). Division Sergeant Major, Americal Division, Viet Nam. Command Sergeant Major US Army Tank Automotive Command in Warren, MI. His military awards include: 4 awards of the Legion of Merit, the nations highest award for meritorious service. The Bronze Star for Valor with oak leaf cluster, The Air medal for Valor, The Army Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters. US Army Good conduct medal. Senior Parachutist badge. US Army Ranger. European Army Service medal. Viet Nam service medal with 3 battle stars
His last assignment was as the Post Command Sergeant Major of Ft. Meade from August 1, 1969 through March 1, 1975. During the period of August 1975 through March 1999 he was the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Ft. Meade Community Credit Union. He was a Business Administrator of Heritage Community Church since November 1999. He was also an Elder of Heritage and previously a Chairman of the Finance Committee.
Otis will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Nina Hendrix; his loving children, Perry Hendrix(Sherri Hendrix), Kimberly Van Meter(Steve VanMeter), Anastasia Dixon(Doug Dixon), Melinda Leighton(Bill Leighton)his sister Joann Colinger and brother Jim Hendrix, both of Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his brother Bill Hendrix in 1984. He will be fondly remembered by his 11 grandchildren, Jason Hendrix, Jared Hendrix, Jessica Allen, Jennifer White, Sloane Whitehead, Meghan VanMeter, John Collins III, Kyle Collins, Hannah Collins, Morgan Economou and Taylor Leighton. He adored his 7 great grandchildren, Brooke Bintz, Hadleigh Hendrix, Colleen Hendrix, Madison and Jaxson Allen, Kate White and Olivia Whitehead. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of 2 more great granddaughters and 1 great grandson.
