Racine Reporter, November 1, 1996

Jerry Hendricks: A Local Legend

By Michael Pugh

"Fifty-six years of experience" is the motto of Hendricks Motors. The claim is true; Jerry Hendricks, owner/manager of Hendricks Motors, really does have 56 years of experience in the automotive industry. But his experience isn’t limited to automobiles. At 74, Hendricks has amassed years of experience in just about everything.

Gerald Anthony Hendricks was born in Racine on February 2, 1922. He attended St. Rose, Franklin Jr. High, and Park High School. At Park he specialized in pattern making, wood working, and the violin. He studied the violin for 12 years and performed in the Racine symphony. But he gave up the violin at an early age to work at something where he could earn a living: fixing cars.

Hendricks secured his first job at the age of 17 as a truck mechanic for International Harvester. During the five years he worked there he began to think of going into business for himself. In 1942 he married Katherine, his first wife, and the following year he left the company and started "Jerry’s Garage Service" in his back yard.

Around this time Hendricks purchased the first of his six planes and earned his private pilot license, which he still holds today. During a recent routine flight check he was afforded a special treat: "The biggest thrill I’ve had in my life," said Hendricks, "is when my grandson was the one to check me out."

After working out of his back yard for two years, Hendricks raised enough capital to start his second business, a Phillips 66 station on Taylor Avenue called "Jerry’s Service." In that same building he started his third business, "H&H Sports Cars," where he sold Jaguars, Alpha Romeos, Porches, Mercedes, and Volkswagens. Soon after H&H Sports Cars had become successful, the Volkswagen Company came in and requested that he deal exclusively in VW’s. Hendricks accepted, and became the first Volkswagen dealer in Racine.

To start the dealership, Hendricks had to change locations. He originally considered buying a lot on Highway 20, but the Volkswagen Company talked him out of it, telling him that Hwy. 20 would never be a good location for a car lot! Under Volkswagen’s advice, he moved to Douglas Avenue in 1955 and started "Hendricks Motors." Three years later he built "Hendricks Motors Volkswagen" on Six Mile Road.

At the time, Hendricks sold brand new VW’s for $1300. Volkswagen was a young company then, and many people thought Hendricks crazy for dealing Volkswagens exclusively. Obviously, time was to be the real judge of his sanity - and his business savvy.

Hendricks’ interests included not just cars and airplanes, but also boats. He owned a number of them, but it wasn’t until 1964 that he bought the now legendary "Gypsy". At that time, Gypsy was the largest boat in Racine. When he originally tried to finance the boat, a local bank turned him down, saying: "Racine will never be a boating community." Hendricks financed the boat elsewhere.

The Gypsy was the first boat in the area to be equipped with radar. This proved useful during the early 70’s when, one foggy night, the Senator of Chicago phoned Palmer Johnson’s Marina and informed them that a small plane had gone down off the shores of Racine. The marina promptly phoned Hendricks to put him on the case. With the help of his radar, Hendricks was the first to locate the fallen craft. Two years later he was able to help out when a similar accident occurred.

Around that time, tragedy struck Hendricks on a more personal level. In 1970, his first wife, Katherine, died of cancer.

In 1971 Hendricks sold his VW dealership and began two decades of new and varied work challenges. First he sold motor homes, yachts, and airplanes. Later he sold garden tractors and snowmobiles, becoming the first snowmobile dealer in the area. Then he sold boats at Palmer Johnson’s Marina. He opened his own airplane business, "Air Trades, Inc." at Horlick field. In 1977 he opened a used car lot, "Hendricks Motors", on Durand Avenue. He eventually sold Hendricks Motors and worked for Tenneco in the aviation parts department. Later he became service manager at Jacobsen Tire. In the late 80’s he created "Mobile Marine," a traveling boat repair service. Never one to slow down, Hendricks opened his most recent business venture less than two years ago.

"Hendricks Motors," 1202 North Main Street, specializes in affordable, reliable used cars. Most cars are priced under $4000. All the cars Hendricks handles are local dealer trade-ins.

Did I mention that Hendricks has been a motorcycle enthusiast since he was a young man? That he still owns and rides one? That he founded the Harbor Light Yacht Club along with three of his friends? That he built the first house on Beechnut Road? That he named Beechnut Road? That he was involved with the very first Venetian Night? That he never misses church? Or that he has 4 children, one step son, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren?

Most importantly, Hendricks is a very humble man. During our interview Muriel, his wife of 25 years, pointed out many of his accomplishments. Her pride in her husband was obvious.

"He has to be challenged with something," Mrs. Hendricks explained. Then she told me this story. In 1964, her husband was in a terrible car wreck. First the doctors said he’d die; then they said he’d be paralyzed. They were mistaken. Hendricks was hospitalized for months, underwent extensive physical therapy, but was firmly on the road to recovery. Shortly after his release from the hospital, Hendricks’ doctor saw him out riding his motorcycle. The Doctor asked Hendricks: "Jerry, are you nuts?" Hendricks replied, "Well, Doc, if the good Lord has allowed me to live, I’m going to live." With that, Hendricks drove away.

And he’s been driving ever since.