Raymond Hendershot

Raymond Dean "Ray" Hendershot, also known as "Mr. Guitar", 79, Superior, formerly of Duluth, passed away August 3, 2009 in St. Luke's Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Ray was born to Ernest and Laura Hendershot on October 11, 1929 in Bemidji, MN.
He worked for the DWP Railroad in Duluth for forty years. He started out as a laborer and he worked his way up to an accountant.
Before Ray was born, his parents, three sisters and brother had a family band that traveled many states and played for grand openings, county fairs, barn dances and wherever good music was enjoyed.
At age three, Ray would secretly play around with his Dad's fiddle. During the Depression days, Ray's dad warned him not to touch his fiddle because breaking it would mean great hardship to the family. By age five, Ray was entering fiddling contests, which he won every year. At age eleven he was told he could not compete anymore because he always won. Ray played his fiddle regularly on KFJM Radio in Grand Forks, ND. He ran to the radio station from school, performed, and then ran back. After the show, the announcer said, "If you want to hear "Little Buddy" again, you can tune in tomorrow!" Shortly after this, Ray discovered the guitar!
Ray met his first wife, Jean Brown in Bemidji, MN and was married forty-four years before she passed away.
Ray was a self-taught and accomplished musician. Along with the fiddle and guitar, he also, played piano, banjo and accordion. He had the keen ability to "play by ear", couldn’t read a lick of sheet music, and could play in any key. He loved entertaining and playing all his friends "favorite tunes". He performed with many local dance bands in the 50's and 60's. He formed his own dance band, The Town and Country Chords, in 1968 consisting of his wife, Jean, daughter Renae and an unrelated fourth player. His son Tracy joined the group in 1969 and the band's name changed to the Town and Country Five. The band played steady for ten years at the American Legion in Two Harbors.
Jean's passing in 1993 left a void in Ray's life. Ray stopped playing for a few years. Consequently, he met Betty and married her in 2001 after a whirlwind courtship. Betty joined the band shortly after. Now the Ray Hendershot Trio was born. Ray's face beamed each time Betty sang her country songs. They never parted and went everywhere together.
Ray loved to eat his garden-grown tomatoes and Betty's home-made bread, buns and caramel rolls. He was a great fan of all old western movies, going to the casinos and he was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan. His vivid memories of the "good old days" kept his family entertained. He was a wonderful dancer and enjoyed working in his garage, he could fix anything, until severe back problems kept him from doing so.
Ray had a unique way of playing lead and rhythm guitar. It was a "style" he developed all of his own. His greatest milestone during the past two years was producing his own CD's that will carry on his musical legacy.
Ray was a kind-hearted, loving man. He taught his daughter and sons responsibility and respect. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. We will only have fond memories of him and love him forever.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Laura, his first wife Jean Brown and three sisters Margaret, Mildred and Rosemary.
Ray is survived by his loving wife Betty, daughter Renae (Jim Sampson) Hendershot, Duluth, sons Tracy (DuRaine Egan) Hendershot, Proctor, MN, Aaron (Jean) Potopinski, Duluth, MN, Damion Phillips, New York, NY, brother Leon Hendershot, Hermantown, MN, stepson Kerry (Anne) Loberg, Superior, stepdaughter, Lori (Joe McFarland) McCord, Pittsburg, KS, grandchildren, Lia and Summer Loberg, both of Superior and Dalton Eckhoff, Tucson, AZ.
Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM until the 4:00 PM Memorial Service on Friday, August 7, 2009 in Zion Lutheran Church, Superior, WI. Pastor Patrick Zeims will officiate.
Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
If you would like to sign the guest book or send a condolence, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.