James “Little General” Franklin Hendershot
James “Little General” Franklin Hendershot, 73, of Waterford, passed away at 10:17 pm on January 16, 2015 at Marietta Memorial Hospital.
He was born on June 11, 1941 in Washington County to John Clarence and Irene Louise (Payne) Hendershot and was a 1959 graduate of Waterford High School. James enlisted in the US Army on October 24, 1961 and retired from active duty on October 31, 1983 after serving for 22 years, where he had several tours in Vietnam and had been stationed at the Embassy in Iran prior to its take over in 1979. James spent much of military career in Germany and had also been a recruiter for 10 years. During his time in the US Army he obtained the rank of Master Sergeant as well as several medals and decorations some included: Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal (1-5). After his retirement James had worked 10 years for Raytheon Corp. in Massachusetts before returning to Marietta where he worked for the Washington County Veteran’s Service Office and had volunteered as a driver for the DAV.
Surviving are his daughters Rene’ Ducharme (Joe) of Lowell, MA, Brenda Sue Ayotte (Brent) of Nashua, NH and Patricia Ann Freni (Mario) of Wyndham, NH, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Also surviving are brothers and sisters: Walter Hendershot of Lowell, Carl Hendershot of Columbus, Gwendolyn Sword (Chuck) of Columbus, Yvonne Erb (Ronald) of Marietta, Karen Morse of Reno, Ernestine Laskey of Marietta, John Hendershot, Jr. (Jackie) of Waterford, Gary Hendershot of South Carolina, Dwight Hendershot of Waterford, and Albert Hendershot (Rhonda) of Waterford, along with several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents James was preceded in death by sisters Cletis Rummer and Joretta Kiggans and brother Jack Hendershot.
Upon his request he will be cremated and buried Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. A memorial service will be held 1 pm Saturday, February 7th at Salem United Methodist Church in Waterford. They family will greet friends from 11 am until the hour of the service at the church. Memorial Contributions may be made in his honor to the Salem UMC, 5327 Buchanan Road, Waterford, OH 45786.
McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.