Nov. 23--An educator at Chicago area schools for more than four decades, Leon Hendricks championed the cause of underserved, at-risk youth and advocated for equality in education.
While working as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent of schools, he wrote dozens of articles on education, finance, curriculum development, character education, tolerance education, and drug and alcohol prevention.
"Leon was an inspiration to so many in our profession and a constant reminder of the power of perseverance," said former colleague Winston Johnson, a retired Chicago Public Schools teacher and school administrator. "He was a model educator who believed that when educators use their time to develop young minds, no child is left behind."
Hendricks, 74, of Chicago, the former director of Character Education for CPS, died of heart failure Nov. 4 in his Chicago home.
Growing up, Hendricks was an average student but always loved learning, his family said.
"Whenever he spoke to students, he'd tell them they could become whatever they wanted to be," said his daughter, Lynette Helm. "He'd begin his talks by saying, 'I was just a kid from the West Side of Chicago.' "
Hendricks also was a consultant and prolific grant writer. He developed and implemented violence intervention and prevention programs for the U.S. Department of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education for more than 15 years.
"When Leon drew up a grant proposal, you could count on it being well-written and crystal clear in its objectives," said Patricia Forbes, a former senior lead trainer at the U.S. Department of Education. "He knew his stuff and backed everything with hard facts and statistics."
In 1999, Hendricks spoke with the Tribune about work he was doing at the now-razed Robert Taylor Homes housing project in Chicago, where he had sought to meet with all elements of the community in discussions on how to prevent violence.
"There are tenants there, I get input from them," he told the Tribune in 1999. "There are gangbangers there and I get input from them too."
Hendricks also delivered more than 150 presentations nationally aimed at creating safe schools and nonviolent communities.
"As an orator, he could mesmerize," Forbes said. "He was concise and he never over-complicated anything. He used humor to entertain but also to drive home a point and get you thinking."
The son of a minister, Hendricks was born in Biscoe, Ark. At age 10, his family moved to Chicago, where he graduated from Marshall High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from Chicago State University prior to receiving master's and doctorate degrees in education from Loyola University of Chicago, his family said.
In 1969, Hendricks began his teaching career with CPS at Jirka Elementary School (now the Pilsen Community Academy) and went on to teach and administer at several other schools in Chicago and south suburban Harvey. In the mid-1980s, he was named director of character education for CPS.
After leaving CPS in 2001, Hendricks joined the faculty at Chicago State University before retiring in 2012.
"Leon had such strong ethics and values," said Cecilia Hunt Bowie, a former colleague and retired dean of Continuing Education and Non-Traditional Programs at Chicago State University. "He was unwavering in his belief that education is the key."
Hendricks' wife of 52 years, Francetta, died in August.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by a son, Leon; three brothers, Ocie Hendricks, Clarence Hendricks and Harold Hendricks; three sisters, Viola Stewart, Charletta Hendricks and Gloria Hendricks; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services were held.
Giangrasse Kates is a freelance reporter.
