John Jay Kendrick's Obituary
John Jay Kendrick was born March 27, 1935 in Beaver Dam Wisconsin. John died peacefully on March 28, 2021 while in the loving care of his family and friends at John’s home in Garland, Texas, John was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather and faithful servant of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was 86 years old.
John enlisted in the Navy on June 27, 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1957. John held multiple sales positions throughout his career. He retired from traditional corporate sales and started his own businesses in 1993. John became the owner of his own business, Kendrick Business Incentives, which primarily sold promotional products, truckers wallets and accessories. John’s first wife was Nan (Anderson) Kendrick; they had a son, John II. His second wife, Annice (Shiel) Kendrick died unexpectedly in 1995; they had a son, Jerrell. On May 17, 1997 he married Gail (Miers) Kendrick in the US Virgin Islands. John and Gail had known each other 30 years before they married. One of John’s most endearing qualities was his gift of making people smile. He was quick with a joke or some witty quip and would always just naturally brighten the room with his ever present smile. John loved his friends and family and genuinely enjoyed being around people. John loved cruising, traveling and was an avid golfer. John loved singing in the church choir. He loved movies, especially John Wayne movies and enjoyed collecting John Wayne memorabilia. John had a passion for eagles, birds, photography, and going to Highland Park High School football games (he was a 1953 graduate), and spending time with his family.
John is survived by his loving wife, Gail (Miers) Kendrick of 23 years. He is survived by his sons John Kendrick II and wife Renee, Jerrell Kendrick and wife Peg, step-daughter Kelly Easterbrook and husband Phil, stepdaughter Sheila Borrego and husband Felix, grandchildren Drew Kendrick and wife Karen, Brett Kendrick and wife Briana, and Cameron Solano, and 3 great grandchildren. John is also survived by his first wife, Nan Kendrick, his sister, Mary Lou Kendrick McBroom, sister-in-law Ruth Kendrick, 3 nephews, Dr. Robert L. McBroom, Jr., Ben McBroom, and John Patrick (Ricky) McBroom and 2 nieces, Jeanette West and Trina Pearl. He is preceded in death by his second wife, Annice (Shiel) Kendrick, his brother William George (Bill) Kendrick, Dr. Robert L. McBroom, Sr., Billy McBroom, and his father and mother, William George Kendrick and Bertha Katrina Kendrick. The Celebration of John Jay Kendrick’s Life will include the following memorial services:
Celebration of Life Service
St. Philips United Methodist Church
3717 Broadway Blvd.
Garland, TX 75043
11 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021
A small family graveside service will be held at:
Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery 13005 Greenville Ave,
Dallas, TX 75243
11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2021
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society in John’s name would be greatly appreciated.
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