Donald Dean “Donnie” Kendrick, of Nederland, formerly of Lumberton, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on May 7, 2015, at the age of 82 years.
Donnie was born in Beaumont, on September 13, 1932. He attended Chance Elementary School and Silsbee High School. After serving in the United States Air Force, he was discharged in 1960 and worked for what was then Eastex Paper Mill in Evadale, until his retirement in 1994.
Donnie was ordained a deacon at Fletcher Emanuel Baptist Church where he attended from childhood. He enjoyed coaching Lumberton Little League for almost two decades and served as umpire numerous times over the years. Donnie loved camping and enjoyed taking his children, along with many of their cousins and friends, on family camping trips.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Ann Templeton Kendrick. They were married in Beaumont, on June 16, 1955. Donnie is lovingly remembered by his sons, Kenneth Kendrick and his wife, Pam, of Mobile, Alabama and Jack Kendrick and his wife Pam, of Zavalla; daughters, Molly Freeman and her husband, Ski, of Vidor and Kathy Sandoz and her husband, Charles, of Nederland; grandchildren; Janet Revia; Tonya Bryant and her husband, Jeff; Zeke Duncan; Jerry (J.D.) Sandoz; David Dean Kendrick and his wife, Randi; Barbra Freeman; Michael Freeman; and Richard Freeman; and sister, Jo Ann Jackson, of Lumberton.
Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, Callie Helen (Scruggs) Kendrick and Roy Lee Kendrick; infant son, Donald Roy Kendrick; sisters, Madie Allene Kessinger, Joy Helen Hartzog Hughes, and Molly Laura Ellis; brother, Roy F. Kendrick, Sr.; and granddaughter, Carol Freeman.
A gathering of Mr. Kendrick’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2015, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 755 South 11th Street, Suite 212, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
