Clarence Gerald Hendren, 78, of Duquesne, passed away at his home on the evening of Aug. 24 after a yearlong illness. Gerald was born on Oct. 29, 1939 in Colcord, Oklahoma, to Clarence “Buster” Hendren and Elva Masters Hendren.
He graduated from Jay High School in Jay, Oklahoma, in 1957, where he was a class treasurer, beginning a lifetime as a numbers man.
After high school, Gerald attended Draughn’s Business College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, working for Sinclair Oil after graduating. He was drafted into the Army in 1962, where the company commander made him company clerk after learning Gerald could type.
When his military service ended, he returned to work for Sinclair until he married Joyce Sterner on June 4, 1965. The couple moved to Joplin in the fall of that year, where Gerald enrolled at Missouri Southern State College. While attending MSSC, Gerald worked for the city of Joplin. He was a member of the college’s first four-year graduating class in 1969. After graduation he began working for Joplin’s BKD CPA firm and finished his career at Tri-State Motor Transit, where he worked as vice president of finance.
He was a longtime member of Bethany Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and church treasurer. He was a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the American Institution, Missouri Society of CPAs and the Great Plains Federal Credit Union board of directors. He was active in Joplin Girls Little League Softball, coaching and serving as league treasurer.
Gerald was a lifelong sports fan, with a particular love for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also a master crappie fisherman and kept count of each year’s catch on a calendar. Many years the tally was in the hundreds.
For many years, Gerald and Joyce operated a tax and accounting firm out of their home, from which Gerald only recently retired due to his health.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Delbert and Charles Hendren, and two nephews, Stephen and David Hendren.
He is survived by his wife Joyce of 53 years; two daughters, Julie McBee and husband Jay, and Jill Farley and husband Josh; four grandchildren, Jordan Larimore and wife Lakin and Gerald’s great-granddaughter Avery, Kenzie Powderly and husband Jack, and Zeke and Zoey Farley; two step-grandchildren, Ashleigh Despos and husband, Matt, and Brittany McBee; and two step-great-grandchildren Brecklyn and Rylan Despos; two sisters, Sue Etris and Zelda Houck; sisters-in-law Billie Joslin, Janice Bowser, Twilla Wheeler and husband Ron. Gerald was also close to and considered family Zeke and Zoey’s longtime significant others Jocelyn Wheeler and Quenton Crow.
Memorial services are planned for Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Presbyterian Church. Tim Oster and Rev. Dr. William Brock Watson will officiate. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Joplin Humane Society, both in care of Parker Mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
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