Paul Thomas Hendrickson, 81, of Eureka, Kansas, passed away Friday morning, May 1, 2020, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, after a brief illness.

Paul was born January 5, 1939, in Eureka, the son of Ole S. and Elizabeth T. Hendrickson. He attended Holverson  Grade School before graduating from Eureka High School in 1956. He then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Emporia State University in 1960.

On April 21, 1962, he and Linda Leigh Teter were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Eureka. Later that year Paul was called to serve his country. He served in the United States Army and was stationed at Nike Missile Headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, until his discharge in 1964.

He and Linda returned to Eureka where Paul worked in a farm and ranch operation with his father and brother, Wayne Hendrickson. Later Hendrickson Cattle Company was formed and remains in operation today.

Paul was an active and involved member of his community. He was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church and served as Church Council President for a number of years. He was a member and Past President of the Eureka Lions Club and the Eureka Jaycees. He was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association for 59 years and also a member of the Greenwood County Cattleman's Association for over half a century.  He was a member of the Upper Fall River Watershed Board and served as treasurer of the Otter Creek Watershed Board for 25 years. He was a member of the Eureka City Commission from 1970 to 1976. He earned his Private Pilot's License in the 1960's and served on the Lt. William M. Milliken Airport Board for many years. He was a member of Fidelity Lodge #106, A.F. & A.M., the Greenwood County Shrine, a charter member of the Greenwood County 3-Wheelers, the Midian Shrine Temple in Wichita, and the Royal Order of Jesters National Court, 76, Wichita Court.

In his leisure time Paul enjoyed flying, traveling with his family around the Midwest, fishing and hunting, as well as reading WWII history books.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Wayne Andrew and Orin Edwin Hendrickson;  and a niece, Andrea Illausky.

He leaves Linda, his wife of more than 58 years; his sons, Eric Paul Hendrickson and wife Theresa of Wichita Falls, TX, and Ross Thomas Hendrickson and wife Amy of Chanute, KS; three grandchildren, Breanna Leigh Hendrickson, Jack Thomas, and Max David Hendrickson; his sister, Mary Ellen Forbes and husband Patrick of Eureka; their nephews, Mark Hendrickson, Michael Forbes, and Bradley Hendrickson; and niece Leslie Fitzgerald; and many other relatives and friends.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, private family funeral services will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Eureka. Burial will be in the Upper Fall River Cemetery.

A public celebration of Paul's life will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or the Eureka Lions Club and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.