Former Marble Falls City Manager Ralph Hendricks on the road to recovery

JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — Ralph Hendricks always loved the night of the Christmas Light-Up Parade and Walkway of Lights opening.

“What a joyful thing for this town, the parade and walkway,” Hendricks said Nov. 21 before this year’s event.

The parade seemed a success as the expected rain arrived in Marble Falls as it ended. As it began to fall, Hendricks lit the Walkway of Lights after a proclamation was read in his honor.

He missed last year’s event after a Oct. 12, 2013, bicycling accident left him in a coma for months afterward.

Now home after a long road to recovery, Hendricks was the grand marshal for this year’s parade and stood on a fire truck with Santa Claus.

Bill Rives, executive director of the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, asked Hendricks to be the grand marshal.

“I don’t mind doing that, I just don’t want it to be all about me,” Hendricks said. “I want it to be about the people that helped me.”

Recognizing and thanking the people of this community are at the core of what Hendricks wanted to talk about.

“The main thing I’m reminded of are how good the people here are,” he said. “How hard they work to help each other and others they don’t even know.”

His wife, Nelda, said the outpouring of support was almost overwhelming.

Dozens visited Nelda at the hospital after his accident. In March, more than 50 people gathered in front of a Marble Falls fire truck for a photo to wish Hendricks a big “get well soon.”

When Ralph came out of a coma and began to understand what had happened, Nelda wanted to tell him about everyone who sent thoughts and prayers their way.

“Those prayers and cares and things people did to help the community keep going; we heard that well,” Ralph said. “We appreciate it. It makes our days happy.”

Ralph and Nelda visited many to extend their gratitude, from City Hall to the fire station and to the healthcare professionals who helped his recovery each step of the way.

“They said the comic relief was gone when we left,” Nelda said about visiting the hospital workers who cared for Ralph.

Hendricks was in an Austin intensive care unit after his accident until he was moved to a rehabilitation facility in Galveston in May. He spent two months there and came home in August.

Many were unsure if Ralph would ever be able to come home.

“To see him be at this stage, at this point in his life, is close to a miracle,” said Marble Falls Mayor, and close friend, George Russell.

Nelda said she believed in Ralph’s recovery.

“I am amazed at what God has done because it’s all Him. I really believed it would happen,” she said. “I did. Deep down I did. I had hope and faith it would.”

He missed last year’s holidays, missed his 60th birthday and much of his 17-month-old grandson’s life. So, for now, Ralph said he is looking forward most to being with his family.

“I try to keep telling myself I haven’t changed. I want to keep telling myself I’ve always been like this, but I’m happier. I appreciate things more,” he said.

Ralph has rejoined a weekly men’s Bible study, can drive and has even been back on a bicycle, albeit much slower than he went before.

“It feels so good, even though I’m not as strong and can’t go nearly as far, it feels really good to ride,” he said. “It really is nice to gain that back again. It’s been a joy.”

Ralph also said he has to catch up on some work around the house.

“Some guy that usually does the yard stuff was out sleeping for a year,” Ralph joked. “I had to catch up.”

jared@thepicayune.com