Ralph Kendrick Obituary

Ralph Kendrick, Jr. passed peacefully on October 6, 2025 at his home in Lawrence, KS at the age of 90 years old.

Ralph grew up in Mountain View Arkansas along with 2 brothers and 4 sisters. With him being the youngest and the last one to leave the family farm, he ended up working with his father at his father's saw mill for several years. The family moved to California to be together with the older brothers and sisters. While in California, being a young kid, Ralph worked for a landscape company in Palm Desert. He talked about all the movie stars he had met. He had quite the stories. After spending a year in California, he moved back to Mountain View Arkansas where he met his future wife. In 1957, Margaret Tuttle, said that she would marry Ralph and they ended up spending 60 years together.

When their house burned down, Margaret and Ralph decided to head to Lawrence. In 1960 Ralph joined the Lawrence Fire Department and spent his career fighting fires, being the full time mechanic and helping others until he retired in 1985. During this time, Margaret and Ralph had two children, Rebecca (Becky)and David. After his retirement from the Fire Department, they moved back home to Mountain View Arkansas. Ralph built his own house that Margaret and he lived in and worked cattle until they finally moved back to Lawrence in 2006 to be closer to their grandchildren.

Ralph was always known for loving his family and drinking coffee with good friends. He was a hard worker and was always providing for his family. He was a jack of all trades, miraculous wood craftsman, and built many houses in Lawrence.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Mamie, his brothers, 3 sisters, and his beloved wife, Margaret. Survivors include one sister, Anna Brewer, Mountain View Arkansas, one daughter, Becky Spence, one son, David Wayne Kendrick (Lynnie), 4 grandchildren (Brianna Jantz (Dalton), Gavin Spence, Tyler (Samantha), Samuel (Chelsea) Kendrick. Three great grandchildren (Leo and Noah Kendrick and Owen Jantz). Numerous nephews and nieces and companion, Judy Gragg.

Graveside services to be held at Memorial Park Cemetery October 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Lawrence Kansas.