Wendell Dwayne Kendrick of Glenwood Springs passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 28, 2019. Wendell was born January 15, 1951 in Xenia, Ohio to James “Jim” Millard Kendrick and Laura Catherine (Combs) Kendrick. He graduated from Xenia High School in 1970. Wendell had recently retired and moved to Rifle, Colorado to be closer to his children in his final days.
Wendell traveled all over the country working on the railroads and operating machinery until he landed in Colorado in 1974 and never left. He worked in the construction business; including owning is own companies throughout the valley. It was said Wendell was so skilled he could scratch the top of your head with a backhoe. Wendell was an avid outdoorsman; he was a hunting guide throughout the Rockies, a raft guide down the Colorado River and an expert fly fisherman. If he wasn’t working he was out fishing or at the Elks Lodge in Glenwood Springs where he had been a proud member for 13 years.
In 1992 he was blessed with his first child Shaylor Sage and then in 1993 with his last Skylor Laura. He was an extremely proud father. He was a father figure for their half siblings as well as all the friends and neighborhood hooligans running around the house. He was known as the most generous and kind man around.
Wendell is survived by his daughters Shaylor (Mitchel) Kendrick and Skylor Kendrick, his mother Laura Kendrick, sister Charlene (Larry) Landis, Brother Lyndon (Lisa) Kendrick, sister in-law Tegwan Kendrick, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by father James Kendrick, brother Jim Jr., and niece Chasidy Kendrick.
A celebration to the man, the myth, the legend will be held at the Glenwood Springs Elks Lodge on Saturday February 9 at 11 a.m.