Charles E. Hendrix Chuck, West Richland, departed from this life on October 2, 2012, following a sudden, brief illness. Chuck was born July 11, 1946, in Urbana, Illinois, and lived in Champaign, Illinois, until his graduation from the University of Illinois in 1968 B.S., Physics. He held a Master's Degree from the University of New York, Tonawanda, in Nuclear Engineering. At the time of his death, Chuck was employed as a nuclear engineer with Areva in Richland. Chuck served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. During such service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star Service, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In recent years, he proudly served as a Patriot Guard Rider at military funerals. While stationed in Thailand, Chuck met his beloved wife Thavil Som. They were married December 30, 1972, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mrs. Hendrix survives. Chuck was a loving and devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, stepfather and grandfather. He was worshipped by his nephew, nieces and grandchildren, teaching them to fish and always willing to play any game with them, no matter how silly. Hunting, fishing, hiking and motorcycling also were Chuck's passions. He especially enjoyed hunting for elk in Idaho, where he had lived for several years and often returned to enjoy outdoor activities with Som, friends and family at their vacation home near Challis, Idaho. Hunting trips to Alaska and Mongolia in past years produced prized trophies for his collection. He had just returned from his dream safari to Zimbabwe only a day before the onset of his final illness. In addition to his wife, Chuck is survived by his parents, Adeline and Charles Hendrix; 2 sisters, Patty Chicoine Jim Sczudlo and Adele Hendrix Jerry Rietveld; and a stepson, PrasitChartnguen Paw. He is also survived by a nephew, nieces, grand nieces, grandchildren, aunts, uncles and cousins. Services for Mr. Hendrix will be held Saturday, October 6, 2012, at Einan's Funeral Home, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland. Visitation at the funeral home will be held between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Full military honors will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Buddhist ceremony conducted by monks from Mrs. Hendrix's temple. Cremation will follow the ceremony. A Christian memorial service will be held in Illinois at a future date. Holy Mass will be celebrated in Chuck's memory at 8:00 a.m., Friday, October 5, 2012, Christ the King Catholic Church, 1111 Stevens Dr., Richland, WA. Chuck's family wishes to thank the ICU staff of KADLEC Medical Center for their compassionate care of Chuck during his final days. Those who are inclined to make a donation in Chuck's memory are encouraged to donate to any veteran's or other charitable organization of their choice or to Wat Richland Buddhavanaram temple, 879 Bretz, Richland, WA 99352