Obituary of Wesley "Wes" Wayne Kendall

Wes Kendall, beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle, and friend died peacefully on April 28, 2022 at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his family by his side. Wes was born on November 30, 1939 and adopted by Lorin and Christine Kendall. Lorin was an engineer and Christine was a nurse. They lived in Galena Park, Texas. He always knew there could not have been a better home for him.Wes Loved BettyWes and Betty met in seminary at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. When they first met, it was their first day on campus. Wes saw Betty, and he said to himself "She's mine". He set out to make that happen. By February of the next year, they were engaged. They married in 1963, their second year in seminary. They were married for fifty-eight wonderful years.Wes Loved His FamilyWes and Betty had two sons, Guy Wayne Kendall, born in 1967, and Kelly Christopher Kendall in 1972. Guy married Kimberly Casner and provided three grandchildren, Katherine, Rebecca, and Josh. Kelly married Aimee Rosaasen who provided another grandson, Britten. His sons and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.When Wes was 60 he got a copy of his original birth certificate. He was surprised to learn that he had known his birth mother all his life but he knew her as his aunt, Louise. He was delighted to find out that his cousin, Dixie Proctor, was actually his sister.Wes shared so many happy times with his family, and he loved traveling with them. Many vacations were spent visiting Wes's parents in Woodville, Texas, and Betty's family in Atmore, Alabama, where they enjoyed the Alabama and Florida beaches. Other special trips were to Yellowstone, Tetons, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and San Diego, where Kelly's family lives.Wes Loved the ChurchWes answered the call to ministry in High School. He cultivated many friendships in every church he served at churches in Dallas, Houston, Colorado Springs, Greeley, Littleton, Wyoming, and Grand Junction. He served as the Rocky Mountain Conference Coordinator in Denver. He also was elected as a General and Jurisdictional Church delegate, served on the General Church's Commission on Religion and Race, and along with Bishop Mel Wheatley and a team, traveled to and established a relationship with the Methodist Church of Kenya. He retired at age 65. In every church, he preached, taught classes, led numerous bible studies, visited the sick, counseled many people in need, inspired youth, and led retreats. Some of you were enriched by his retreats and workshops based on his book Journey of Men which was written as part of his dissertation for his Doctor of Ministry degree from SMU in 1992. He most recently attended Sunrise United Methodist Church with his friend, Olon Lindemood as pastor. The Church was not simply where he worked, it was where he lived.Wes Loved MusicWes sang in groups most of his life. He sang in school choirs, church choirs, quintets, community chorales, and community musicals. Wes loved singing and being a part of the Cherry Creek Chorale, with the highlight being able to perform the Brahms Requiem in Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York. Wes sang with a men's quintette while serving the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Grand Junction, Colorado, which he dearly loved. Some of his favorite music was the songs and musicals performed by his family members of whom he was so proud.Wes Loved SportsWes played many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and track. Wes ran track in high school and college. He was on the distance relay team in high school that won a gold medal at the largest meet in Texas. He specialized in the 220 dash and the 880-yard run. He was world class in the 220. The 220 race was not run at this meet, so Wes qualified for the 880 at the state track meet where he brought home a fifth-place medal. The track coach for SMU was at the meet and offered Wes a full four-year scholarship. Unfortunately, Wes hurt his knee before the first meet of the year. Wes went to the 1960 Olympics in Rome, as a spectator. Wes was a Dallas Cowboys fan until he moved to Colorado and then he became an enthusiastic Denver Broncos fan.Wes really enjoyed reading emails from many of you who remained friends on Facebook as well as connecting through phone calls and visits. Betty and Wes's Facebook page will now remain as "Betty Wes Kendall", and Betty hopes to continue following your journeys. Betty said that "Theirs was a lifetime of precious moments and wonderful memories" and expressed her love to you all.If you want to make a contribution in his memory, suggestions are Sunrise United Methodist Church with memo line "Music Ministry"; Ehlers Danlos Society; (usvalor.org) military veterans and their families; or a charity of your choice. Events Memorial Service Thursday, June 30, 2022 2:00PM Sunrise Methodist Church 2655 Briargate Boulevard Colorado Springs,, CO Phone: 719-328-1793