"Dear Mrs. Kendall and the Kendall family, I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Kendall's passing. He was always so funny, kind and encouraging and was truley a gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I would have liked to have attended the services but unfortunatly did not know of the time until this afternoon. Thank you all for your years of friendship. Your husband, father and grandfather will be missed. God Bless. Brian"
In loving memory of
James Rex Kendall
August 12, 1931 - September 4, 2011
It is with sadness we share the news of the death of James Rex Jim Kendall, 80, of Middletown, RI on Sunday, September 4, 2011 at Newport Hospital. The husband of Joan Horvath Kendall and the only child of the late James W. and Garnet Rex Kendall, he was born in Chicago, IL in 1931. Following two years of service in the U.S. Army, Jim returned in 1950 from his station in Germany and in the next year he married his beloved Joan in Norwalk, CT. In May 2011, the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Originally trained as an electrician, Jim worked for 30 years as an engineer for IBM, contributing to NASAs Saturn 5 project at The Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL at the height of the 1960s United States Space Program. In the early 1970s his work led him to Newport, for among other assignments, collaborations with the Naval Underwater Systems Center. While dedicated to his occupation, Jim at heart was an artist. He had a special fondness for painting with watercolors - at which he excelled - and a knack for drawing cartoons that delighted his co-workers with accurate caricatures and amusing depictions of workplace scenarios. To be sure, there was nothing that Jim liked more than a hearty laugh, and his iconoclastic, often ribald sense of humor was highly valued by those with the good fortune and fortitude to experience it. In quieter moments he enjoyed building model airplanes while listening to good music. Jim Kendall didnt have a mean bone in his body. He will be missed. Besides his wife Joan, he is survived by his son Bradford R. and wife Leigh K. Kendall; daughter Kristy K. and husband Christopher Kerins; son Gregory J. Kendall and wife Constance White; son Robert T. and wife Cynthia M. Kendall; grandchildren Lily, Stephen, Evan, Matthew, Lucas and Dana Kendall; Derek, Alison, and Joel Kerins; and numerous nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 10:30am to 12:00pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with funeral services to follow at 12 noon. Burial will be at Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jims memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Tributes
"Dear Joan, With sincere sympathy may we offer our prayers for the happy repose of the soul of Jim and our condolences to you in your time of grief for the loss of your good husband. We greatly admired him for his technical abilities and talents not the least was his artistry and flair for words and humor as reflected in the cartoon style cards he made under the title: "Nice Cards Co., Newport RI" for various occasions for fellow IBM Newporters. I have kept many for old times sake and often enjoy viewing them as they always bring me joy. And with joy I always remember your Jim. God bless you. Fran Scott"
"To Dear Joan, Kristy and the entire Kendall Family, It is with great sadness that I read abour the loss of your beloved Jim. Please know that God holds you all in the palm of His hand. With deep sincerity, Beth & Phil Ward"
"Dear Joan, I was so sorry to hear about jim. He was a wonderful man and I will miss seeing him at work. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
"I am so sorry to hear about Jim. It was pleasure to work with him back in the 70's. He was a true gentleman. Sincerely, Lissa"
"Our condolences to Joan and family. Jim kept a good balance between technical expertise and humor & kindness. He will be missed."
"We have fond memories of bowling with Jim. He was a great man. Our prayers and thoughts are with Joan and family. Barb and Tom Stanton"
"I am deeply saddened to here of Jim's passing. My heartfelt condolenses go out to his wife and family. As was noted in his biography, I am fortunate to still be in possession of one of his trademark caricature drawings depicting a humorous softball moment that Jim captured of our softball team so many years ago when we worked together in Newport. I have cherished it ever since that time and it now has even more significance for me. Jim will be missed..."