David W. Hendon

Former Baylor professor David Warren Hendon of Woodway, TX, passed away on Oct. 1, 2025. 

Hendon was born in Atlanta on Sept. 11, 1947, and attended South Cobb High School in Austell, GA. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Emory University. Hendon began his 43-year career as a professor in the Department of History at Baylor in 1977. At Baylor, Hendon’s teaching and research focused on European history and Holocaust studies. He served as an editor of the Journal of Church and State Studies and directed the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core from 1998 to 2008. He had a true passion for teaching and has had an impact on the lives of many students.

Hendon lived his life in a way that impacted many people in his family, community, church and professional life. He loved to travel and had many stories to tell about those travels. Anyone who spent much time with Hendon likely heard a few of those stories. He also loved spending time in nature and listening to classical music.

Hendon was a devoted member of Lake Shore Baptist Church for 48 years. Ordained as a deacon, he served on several church committees, including personnel, pastoral search and missions. His church family was an extremely important part of his life.