Jeff Hendrickson

On September 10, 1961, Jeff was born at Billings Deaconess Hospital to Dick and Judy (Grooters) Hendrickson and passed away August 6, 2025, from an undiagnosed heart condition.

The family moved to Great Falls after his father returned from Vietnam. Then they moved to Carbondale, IL, and later to St Louis, MO and Foxboro, MA.  For most of his school years Jeff lived in Cherry Hill, NJ where he graduated from Cherry Hill West High School in 1979.

Jeff worked at various jobs in NJ and at Prince Foods he met his first wife, Marjorie Dixon. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Cierra & Kelsey.

In 1995 Jeff moved back to Billings, his forever home.

He met Amy Hakert at the Red Door in 2006 and they were married in 2009 at the Billings Depot.  Their relationship was filled with love and laughter. Their much-awaited darling daughter, Alex, was born in 2012. Jeff once said, “What you talkin’ about, Willis?” to Amy, but she flipped the script on him and from that point forward his nickname became “Willis.”

For the last 25 years, Jeff worked for Applied Industrial Technologies as a Customer Service Rep.  His work ethic was worn like a badge of honor, and it never left him. His goal was to always do better, make a job easier, more efficient and cost effective – a win for all those involved.

Jeff spent some of his personal time playing several sports: Softball, Bowling (over a 200 average) and Golf. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and boating. In the fall, Jeff could be found going to Bozeman to tailgate, cheer on Bobcat football and tailgate some more. Jeff also loved finding new recipes and experimenting in the kitchen indoors and on the grill.

He researched endlessly, whatever was interesting that day. He wore out several computers, headphones and chairs sitting at the computer. Jeff believed in recognizing other people’s accomplishments and was encouraging and excited to help others achieve their goals and aspirations.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Amy, his three daughters, Cierra, Kelsey and Alex; his parents Judy and Joe Barrett, his brothers and their families: Cory (Wendy) (OH), Casey (Sarah) and his four children Ben, Nate, Rebecca and Brigid (NJ), Reuben (Nicole) (IL), his sister Robin (Keith) (CA) and her daughters Camille and Hilary, his dear Aunt Carol (WA) and Uncle Ron and Aunt Betty (MO).  His Montana family includes Doug, Linda, Jason, Tiffani and Bo Hakert and his very good friends, Gary and Barbara Forberg. The “Hoodlums” (named by Jeff) and his adopted Bobcat friends will forever miss his great hugs and calm demeanor, always “holding the fort down.” Jeff is also remembered by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins from CA, WA, IL and VA. 

We plan to scatter his ashes at Mystic Lake, one of his most favorite places in the world.

From the words of A River Runs Through It, Jeff always said “I’ll never leave Montana, brother.”

His was a life well-lived – Rest in Peace – Go Rest High on the Mountain

Donations in Jeff’s honor can be made to Alex’s scholarship fund:

UBS Financial Services

FBO: Alex Hendrickson

401 N 31st, Suite 1700

Billings, MT 59101

Services will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. There will be a Farewell Service from 2-3 pm with a Celebration of Life Open House from 3-5 pm at the Red Door Lounge East Side Room, 3875 Grand Ave, Billings, MT 59102.