Chester Ware "CW" Kendall Jr.'s Obituary
Chester Ware “CW” Kendall Jr. went peacefully into the arms of Jesus on September 20, 2022. CW was born to Chester and Clarice Kendall on April 10,1937, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1948, he walked down the aisle of a small, white-framed church to the hymn “Just as I Am” and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. He moved from Tulsa to Dallas in 1949, and began playing the piano by ear. In 1956, CW and friends, Earl Slocumb and Larry Randall, started the band The Big Beats, which was one of the most popular tour- ing bands of the 1950s and 1960s. CW played the piano for the band as they toured forty-two states and twenty-seven foreign countries and performed with musicians including Johnny Cash, Gene Vincent, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Sonny James, Chuck Berry, Bobby Darin and more. The Big Beats were featured on Dick Clark’s American Band Stand, and they were the first rock band ever to be signed to Columbia Records. CW also performed and recorded with Buddy Holly and the Crickets and co-wrote the hit song “Little Baby” with Buddy in 1958. In 1968, CW and Larry formed Ken-Ran Entertainment Productions, which is still in business today. After raising their family in Dallas, CW and Marita moved to Hideaway, TX, where they formed many cherished friendships, and CW affectionately became known as “Mr. Hideaway.” CW founded the International Theatrical Agents Association as well as the Society of Talent and Entertainment Professionals (STEP) where he negotiated on behalf of musicians and advocated for entertainment professionals everywhere. CW received many honors in his career including the STEP Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2017. CW is survived by his cherished wife of 63 years, Marita Brooks Kendall; their children, CW III and Sharon Kendall, Brooks and Diane Kendall, Rachel and Mark Reynolds, Kendra McMurray, Jeff and Gayle Lindsey; his son, Dennis McCoy; his brother, Ed Kendall and his wife, Dawn; fifteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Clarice Kendall and his great-grandson, Myers Crawford Kendall. Celebration of Life will be held Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3pm at Watermark Community Church Chapel, 7540 LBJ Frwy. in Dallas. A reception will follow from 4-7pm at Park Plaza Tower Event Center, 13111 N. Central Expwy.
Funeral arrangements for Chester Ware Kendall Jr. have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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