Gerald Duane Kendrick
September 8, 1951 ~ June 20, 2014
Gerald Duane Kendrick, 62, of Jefferson City, died Friday, June 20, 2014, at his residence.
Gerald was born the second child to the union of the late Leonard Kendrick, Jr. and Helen Louise Wilkerson Kendrick on September 8, 1951.
He received his early education in the Evanston public school system and graduated from Evanston Township High School. He loved sports and was a Boy Scout and played Little League Baseball. During High school he played Offensive linebacker and received State honors in his role on the very successful team. He made great friendships and obtained many life lessons from playing sports and the men in the Community that supported and coached the players. Even though his football skills afforded him many offers of scholarships to play ball, he instead chose a full academic scholarship to Union College in Schenectady, New York. Where he played because he loved football. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Union College, obtained a Master of Arts from Boston University and worked on a PhD in African American Studies from Temple University.
While on the East Coast, he was a member of the Southern New Hampshire Outreach for Black Unity where he served as Parliamentarian. He received Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mount Zion M.B. church in Evanston, Illinois. He answered God's call and was ordained at the New Fellowship Baptist church in New Hampshire.
His main love was the education and elevation of his people. His professional organization include, The College Language Association, The National Council of Teachers of English, Modern Language Association and the National Association of African American Studies. One of his most recent presentations was, "A Biographical Perspective of South African Poet, Dennis Brutus" at the Association of Africa American studies in Baton Rouge, La. He was listed as one of Five Top Favorite Professors in a National Education Association Poll.
He served as Assistant Professor of English at Lincoln University. Gerald was on the College Board Development Committee for the English Achievement test. He served as Reviewer for Lippincott, Associate Editor Langston Hughes Review, Brown University and was cited in Who's Who Among Black Americans. He also served as instructor at Northeastern University and researcher at the Newberry Library.
He was preceded in death by his parents and leaves to celebrate his homegoing, his sister, Wanda Lenore Mays, Evanston, Il.; his niece, Reisha Lenore (Aaron) Drumgold, Burlington, NC; 2 great-nieces, Alana and Alissa Drumgold, and one great-nephew Aaron Kendrick V. Drumgold; a favorite aunt, Irma Kendrick, Prairie View, Texas; cousin James "Mickey" Bumpas, Lawrenceburg Tenn.; cousin William Leroy Kennedy, S. Carolina; and a great host of other relatives, friends and students.
"Oh sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten the victory."
A Homegoing Celebration Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 26, 2014, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with Pastor Joe L. Martin officiating.
An additional service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2014, at the House of Thompson Funeral Home in Evanston, Il. with the Rev. Cheryl Green officiating.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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Gerald was a lovely man and a great friend. I had a great time teaching with him at Lincoln University and he taught me many things. I will miss him but I know he will be smiling and engaging the angels with wonderful conversations.
Gerald will truly missed. he was a loyal friend for over 60 years. We grew up in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, played baseball, rode bikes, and respected all that we were taught. May my good friend rest in peace.
I want to give my condolences for my long-time. friend of over 40+ yrs. and knowing his whole family while living in Evanston and we were in the same boy scout pact back in the day….His sister was and is my long-time sisters best friend even today…he will be missed by all that. knew. him….
W. Leroy Kennedy
Farewell Cuz’n Gerald, you fought the good fight for life and the many you helped along the way. While we did not get to know each other while growing up, we more than made up for it over the past twenty four years as friends.
Your distinctive sense of humor and willingness to attack critical issues and projects stand as tributes to your body of work.
Thank you for your contributions to our family and making us proud.
To Wanda and Reisha, you have my sincere condolences and take pride in knowing that his legacy will continue to live through you.
W. Leroy Kennedy
Farewell Cuz’n Gerald, you fought the good fight for life and the many you helped along the way. While we did not get to know each other while growing up, we more than made up for it over the past twenty four years as friends.
Your distinctive sense of humor and willingness to attack critical issues and projects stand as tributes to your body of work.
Thank you for your contributions to our family and making us proud.
To Wanda and Reisha, you have my sincere condolences and take pride in knowing that his legacy will continue to live through you.
I have known Gerald for over 50 years. He was always a great friend who listen and provided positive solutions for any situation. I want to give my deepest condolences to the family and to let them know that he will be truly ,truly missed.
Gerald and I have known each other since early childhood, and he was always the same level-headed person who always seemed to stay on course. My condolences and prayers go out to the family. He will be remembered in a good way by all that got a chance to know him’
Our condolences and prayers are with our long time friend Wanda Mays during this very difficult time of loss. Gerald was a wonderful person and a great friend to many. He will be missed because he was so sincerely loved. May God bless and comfort all of his family and friends
Wanda and Reisha you have the deepest condolences from all your cousins here in Tennessee. I will especially miss the long talks, debates, and “coffee jokes” Gerry and I shared over the years. He always had a way to show the sunshine.
I will use and pass along the knowledge you shared with me. I love you Cuz.
Patti
Wanda and Reisha you have the deepest condolences from all your cousins here in Tennessee. I will especially miss the long talks, debates, and “coffee jokes” Gerry and I shared over the years. He always had a way to show the sunshine.
I will use and pass along the knowledge you shared with me. I love you Cuz.
Patti
Wanda and Family,
My deepest condolences, Gerald was a true gentleman.
Wanda and Family,
My deepest condolences, Gerald was a true gentleman.
Memories go way back to New Hampshire when I first met Gerald. Admired his voice, presentation skills and his zeal for/toward education. Job well done Mr. Kendrick. RIP my Friend
Gerald was a great friend. I met him in New Hampshire where
we sang in the New Fellowship Baptist Church choir and in the Outreach for Black Unity (OBU) choir. Gerald was active in the community speaking at events and working in community organizations. He was right in the middle of the political
scene supporting Rev Jesse Jackson and New Hampshire first elected African American state representative Rep. Linda Long. We had many great times together in New Hampshire and our friendship never ended. We didn’t speak daily or monthly but whenever we did speak it was like we just saw each other yesterday. Gerald
knew how and when to be serious and he knew how to have fun. We would often talk about the time we went blackberry picking in New Hampshire, the basement parties and all the fun singing in the choir. Gerald’s community activities continued when he moved to
Charlotte NC where he immediately started working on political campaigns as he started his tenure at Barber Scotia College in Concord NC. He was a respected member of the faculty at
Barber Scotia and a mentor to many of his students.
One of the songs we sang together was “I Shall Wear A Crownâ€. Gerald now has his crown, has put on his robe, and is now telling the story how he made it over. Rest in Peace My friend… You will be missed!
My condolences to Wanda and the rest of his family!
Nick Long
Gerald was a great friend. I met him in New Hampshire where
we sang in the New Fellowship Baptist Church choir and in the Outreach for Black Unity (OBU) choir. Gerald was active in the community speaking at events and working in community organizations. He was right in the middle of the political
scene supporting Rev Jesse Jackson and New Hampshire first elected African American state representative Rep. Linda Long. We had many great times together in New Hampshire and our friendship never ended. We didn’t speak daily or monthly but whenever we did speak it was like we just saw each other yesterday. Gerald
knew how and when to be serious and he knew how to have fun. We would often talk about the time we went blackberry picking in New Hampshire, the basement parties and all the fun singing in the choir. Gerald’s community activities continued when he moved to
Charlotte NC where he immediately started working on political campaigns as he started his tenure at Barber Scotia College in Concord NC. He was a respected member of the faculty at
Barber Scotia and a mentor to many of his students.
One of the songs we sang together was “I Shall Wear A Crownâ€. Gerald now has his crown, has put on his robe, and is now telling the story how he made it over. Rest in Peace My friend… You will be missed!
My condolences to Wanda and the rest of his family!
Nick Long
My deepest condolences to the Kendrick family. Gerald was a dear childhood friend with a peaceful spirit and a kind heart. God is collecting his angels. RIP, Gerald.
Robin Cobb Bryant
My deepest condolences to the Kendrick family. Gerald was a dear childhood friend with a peaceful spirit and a kind heart. God is collecting his angels. RIP, Gerald.
Robin Cobb Bryant
Our condolences to the entire family. We are sadden to hear of you loss. May you find solace in the words of the Bible at Revelation 21:4,5. There we are assured that God will wipe away tears from our eyes and eliminate all suffering. May the promise of the resurrection help you endure your loss Acts 24:15.
Our deepest condolences to our dear friend Reisha Drumgold and Family in the loss of her beloved Uncle. We are praying for you and the family during this time of transition. We know you will miss your loved one but we know God will give you everything you need to carry on with strength and peace. We love you!