Gone but never forgotten

By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer
    Wesley Hendry passed away in January after a valiant battle with cancer, but he is still very much in Lolita, Texas. Scattered throughout Jackson County, particularly Lolita, are little pieces of Wesley’s memory. There is Brush 66, better known as Ole Girl, an old Chevy at the Lolita Fire Station that he helped rebuild with his own hands. There are little “fireman’s cap” trees peppered throughout the yards of his loved ones. The one in his mother’s yard in El Toro bears his name on a sign. There is the little old lady whose furnace Wesley would go down and light for her, and hundreds of other people who have stories of his warm heart and helpful hands. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who knew Wesley that wouldn’t say Jackson County is a better place because of him. 
    There is also a football field that Hendry is credited with fighting for and helping to make happen, and on a pole at that field, home to the Industrial Youth Football League, is a bell, emblazoned with the words “In memory of Wesley Hendry.” It is signed “IYFL.”
    The bell was dedicated on Aug. 22, and will ring when a touchdown is scored. Hendry was very involved with the Youth Football League, coaching, refereeing, and more. His son played in the league as a child. A sea of blue T-shirts reading “Wesley’s Warriors – extinguish cancer” sat in front of the stands as an announcer described Wesley.
     “He has always been involved in the youth football in some way or other,” said the announcer at the ceremony, “He did field maintenance, equipment manager, he was president for a very long time. He coached every year when his son was playing, and even when he wasn’t coaching, he came and started reffing. He was here every other weekend. Whatever had to be done, he did it.”
    Hendry’s family was given the opportunity to be the first to ring the bell. The first ring was performed by his mother, Betty Hendry. 
    “Everybody loved Wesley,” said Betty, “He was a special person. He really was.”
    Wesley’s daughter, Brianna Hendry, was visibly emotional during the ceremony, and remembered her father and all he did for the community.
    The bell ceremony was pretty emotional for me,” she said, “It really warms my heart that my dad was so well respected and loved that the IYFL put a bell on the field in his honor. My dad put so much of his time into the community simply because it is what he loved to do. He didn't expect anything in return and that is why I'm so humbled by how much the Industrial Youth Football League has done in his honor. It is an amazing feeling to know that my dad did not go unnoticed and I know he would be incredibly honored. My dad was and will always be the Industrial Youth Football League's biggest fan.“