Clarence H. "Sonny" Hendricks' Obituary
Clarence H “Sonny” Hendricks, of Tacoma, Washington, passed away on October 30, 2025, at age 81.
Sonny was born on February 25, 1944 in Detroit, MI, to parents Cole and Jane Hendricks. He joined the United States Army as a young man, serving for 22 years until his retirement in 1982. He attended flight school and was sent to Vietnam where he flew slicks. After Vietnam, he flew search and rescue missions and finished his time in the Army as an instructor pilot. He loved to fly and had a civilian career as a tour pilot on Maui, an air ambulance pilot in the Grand Canyon area and as a wildland fire helicopter pilot.
Sonny married his first wife, Beverly Jane Gushiken in 1963 and they had 3 daughters. After Beverly passed, Sonny was fortunate to meet Charolette Jones. They married in 2011 and he became a stepfather to Char’s three children. Through their blended families, Sonny and Char also had numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sonny was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He had an adventurous spirit, a playful and fearless nature and a curious mind. He and Char loved to travel and were able to see much of the world during their retirement.
Sonny is survived by his wife, Charolette, and his daughters Marie (James) Sullens, Monica (Randy) Asahara, and Sheila (Court) Hode. He is also survived by his bonus children, Lori (Sean) Moore, Jeff (Wendy) Tuttle, and Christy (Bill) Setzer, his sister Betty (Phil) Cooley, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Beverly, and four brothers.
He was well loved and will be deeply missed.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sonny’s name to the Red Cross Disaster Relief.
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