Lloyd G. Hendry Dies At 90

Lloyd G. Hendry died October 17, 2013. He was born in Fort Myers on December 12, 1922, to Fred Earl and Bertha Gould Hendry, the 6th of their 9 children, and was the great grandchild of Captain Francis Asbury Hendry, one of the pioneers of Southwest Florida, after whom Hendry county was named.  

He attended public schools in Lee County, graduating from Fort Myers High School in 1940.

 
Lloyd attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1944 in absentia while serving in the US Navy. He attended a work-study scholarship and felt honored to help construct the buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

 
The US Navy send him to V-12 College at the University of Miami where he graduated first in his class. He was then sent to Midshipmen’s School at Columbia in New York City, then to Naval Aircraft Recognition School at Ohio State University. 

While at Ohio State he met Jody Tharp and his life was changed forever.

He continued to serve in the US Navy as a Lt (J.G.), acting as an instructor at the Officers Naval Training School and then aboard the USS Nashville.

After WWII, he returned to Florida and attended Law School at the University of Florida. Upon graduation, he was hired by Henderson, Franklin, Starnes and Holt, a new law firm in Fort Myers.

With the war over and his law career begun, he married Jody Tharp on September 2, 1950, bringing her to Fort Myers, and IT was changed forever.

Lloyd was associated with Henderson, Franklin, Starnes and Holt for over 30 years. In 1979, he opened his own firm with his daughter Mary Christine Hendry Sonne. A few years later he was joined by his son Harry Orrin Hendry and the three of them practiced law in Fort Myers for over 20 more years. The firm continues with Harry Orrin Hendry today.

Lloyd was a member of First United Methodist Church, his great grandfather Francis Asbury Hendry having donated the land for the church in the 1870s. He served his church in many capacities, on every committee, teaching Sunday School and heading numerous financial drives, usually with Jody as his co-chair.
Lloyd was well known for his civic activities, serving on numerous boards, committees, associations and organizations, giving back to the community he loved so much. 

He served as General Counsel and member of the Boards of Directors of Alico, Inc. and First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Fort Myers; was a member of the Board of Directors of Lee County Mosquito and Hyacinth Control; and General Counsel and Trustee of the Edith Collier Sproul Trust.

Lloyd was instrumental in the formation of the Salvation Army in Fort Myers and was a life member of its Advisory Board.

He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Florida Southern College from 1983 to 1998, when he was elected Trustee Emeritus.

Lloyd loved his farm on the Orange River and he and Jody graciously shared it with large numbers of friends on many occasions. Their annual Easter Party and Annual Hendry Family Reunion were treasured moments in their lives.

Lloyd is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jody Tharp Hendry, his son Harry Orrin (Hank) Hendry (Laurel), his daughter Mary Christine (Peach) Sonne (Ken), three grandsons, Alex Sonne, James Sonne (Stephanie), Daniel Hendry, and granddaughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Hendry, and a great-granddaughter Hannah Hendry.
Lloyd is also survived by a brother, W. E. Hendry of North Carolina.

His funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Fort Myers on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. A reception will following in the Life Enrichment Center.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Fort Myers, the Salvation Army or the FA Hendry Family Scholarship at Edison State College.