Elder L. Lionel Kendrick peacefully and fearlessly concluded his living example of unyielding faith and tender devotion to family the morning of August 22, 2022. He now valiantly begins the next verse of his eternal hymn.
Lionel was born September 19, 1931 as the only child of Bonnie Delen and Edna Forbes Kendrick in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He married Myrtis Noble August 16, 1952. Thus began their seventy-year journey together of loving devotion, selfless service, and joyful courtship. Their happy and devoted marriage blessed the lives of three sons and one daughter: Larry (Sherron) Kendrick, Jr., Hal (Julie) Kendrick, Dana (Shelley) Kendrick (predeceased), and Merri Ellen (Robert) Turner. Affectionately known as “Poppy”, he and “Grandma Myrt” are the grandparents of fourteen righteous grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
Raised on a farm, Lionel credits his parents with instilling in him a love for work, a love for education, and a love for his fellow man. Following the example of his parents, Lionel lived a life of integrity, goodness, and perseverance from an early age. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of twenty-three while serving in the United States Air Force.
From the time of his conversion, Lionel wholeheartedly embraced the path of discipleship. Consistently immersing himself in a study of the scriptures, he had an unwavering commitment to living the principles of the gospel. Many of his days were blessed by his focus on, and love for, family history. In 2018, he and Myrtis published their respective life histories, giving beautifully-bound copies to each of their children and grandchildren. These treasured volumes will influence their posterity for generations. One of Elder Kendrick’s choicest blessings was the privilege of performing the sealing of each of his married grandchildren. For Lionel, the highlight of every year was the Kendrick family reunion. It was there that cherished relationships were richly nurtured and strengthened through Lionel and Myrtis’ enduring spirit of love and family. Lionel often reflected in deep gratitude on the precious blessings of his eternal marriage. Happy to live in many different places and serve in many different capacities, he and Myrtis always found home in one another. Their meaningful and loving partnership will endure forever.
Elder Kendrick’s exemplary leadership and love for all people enriched many lives and will be greatly missed. Through his unceasing efforts in education, he earned B.S., M.S., and Ed. D degrees from Louisiana State University. As a professor and administrator at East Carolina University, he inspired countless young students for twenty years. In 1985, Lionel left the university to preside over the Florida Tampa Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved “his missionaries'' and was fervently devoted to instilling in them a pattern of service, compassion, and lifelong gospel learning. In 1988, Lionel was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy, where he labored cheerfully for thirteen years. Serving together with his sweetheart, Myrtis, his assignments as a Seventy included President of the Dallas Temple as well as Area President in both the Philippines and Japan. After becoming an emeritus General Authority, he was called at age seventy-five to serve as Bishop of the Eighteenth North Ward in the Ensign Stake.
Lionel will be remembered as a humble and loyal man who valued his family and many friendships. His gentle kindness knew no constraint; his quiet wisdom enlightened all paths; his quick wit and charm eased all burdens; his abounding love warmed all hearts and lifted all spirits. As he embarks on the next chapter of his eternal journey, his memory will be upheld and cherished by all those whose lives he touched, until we meet again.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 29th at the Ensign Stake Center, 135 A Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. The visitation will be held on Sunday evening, August 28th at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple from 6-8 p.m. There will also be a visitation Monday morning, prior to the funeral, at the Ensign Stake Center from 10:00 -10:45 a.m. You may also watch the service via zoom with the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82969359285
The recorded service can be viewed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above
Sending love & prayers to all the family.
Myrtis & Family, We are sad to here of Lionel’s passing, he was great person and I know the Lord has more for him to do on the other side. I remember when he took time to help with my sisters ( Sondra Le-Roy) funeral 20 years back. It really meant a lot to our mother in helping her deal with the loss of a daughter. May God bless you & your family. Love Ed Jr & Darline Aucoin
A very fine man. I knew him many years ago when he was working at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. I was friends with his son Dana, who moved to Utah about 1980.
I am so sorry to hear of Lionel’s passing. Although we never met in person we shared our love of genealogy . He always wrote the kindest and sweetest emails. I will miss you dear cousin.
Just wanted to let you know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this time. I am so happy that I was able to know Elder Kendrick. I always remember him as soft - spoken and funny. His eyes twinkled when he smiled.
Bishop Kendrick is one of the finest people we have ever met. He loved our family as our own and saw in us at a pivotal time in life more than we could see ourselves in our small but growing family. His love and service has multiplied immensely and around the world through those we have touched as we tried to practice what he taught and modelled. Our love to Myrtis and your whole family! God bless you with His grace!
The Ed Aucoin family is sorry to hear about Lionel. I have very fond memories from my younger days seeing the entire Kendrick family and also at Aucoin reunions. I know my mom and dad thought so highly of Lionel. Our prayers are for comfort during this time.
My sincere condolences.
Also Pres Kendrick will he missed in my life. Thanks to his friendship and beautiful teaching I again found oeace in my life
Our family’s love and prayers are with his family. I was blessed to work for few months as a secretary when Elder Kendrick was serving in the Philippines Area Presidency. His kind, humble, loving and Christ-like demeanor will always be remembered. We love you, Pres. Kendrick! Till we meet again!
It's with heavy hearts that we say good-bye to a great spiritual giant. We loved Bishop Kendrick. We loved serving the Lord under Bishop Kendrick as his Inner City Missionaries for the Eighteenth Ward in the Ensign Stake. He was the kindest, most loving man of God we have ever had the pleasure of getting to know in this lifetime. After our full time mission to the Philippines, we had a ritual luncheon meeting frequently to share with Lionel and Myrtis our common love of BLTs. He loved BLTs and so did we. He will be greatly missed and loved by all. God bless and keep you till we meet again dear friend.
We are saddened to hear of Elder Kendrick's passing. Since 1972, you two have played such a significant influence in our lives. We are so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and to know that we will all meet again in our Heavenly Father's house. Our love, Roy and Patrice
I was sorry to learn of Elder Kendrick's passing. He will always be remembered for his kindness and true goodness. We will miss him in the ward. I pray the Lord's comfort to be with his sweet wife and family.
Karolia Hanson
We are so sad for your loss. I wish we could have gotten to know Lionel as I'm sure he was a wonderful person. I pray you are well!
Thoughts and prayers,
Marilyn Lasater (Bucky's middle daughter)
Sister Kendrick and family I send you my deepest abiding love and prayers, at this time for your loss of a man that I love so much. I was blessed to serve under such a wonderful mission president who taught me so much about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will ever be in debt to Him that taught me so much about people, love, myself and the gospel and my testimony. I know without a doubt he has passed on and he is with his family. He’s in the spirit world and I know he will still see after his family here. I pray for the spirit of the Lord to be with you sister Kendrick and your family. I love y’all so very much may the Lord bless you. Brother Worth Smith from Liberty, Mississippi
I am so saddened by this news. I owe so much to this marvelous man. He was my Branch President, right after I joined the church at East Carolina University. He shepherded and taught me and was like my father away from home,. His kind, wise, loving counsel was an immense blessing to me, as he always took time to listen to me and gently give advise. I will eternally be in debt to his nurturing me along in the Gospel.
I give my condolences to Sister Kendrick and the family. President Kendrick was such an inspiration to me. He always made me feel that I was better than the best! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family!
So sorry for your loss. He was an inspector to all who knew him.
We offer our condolences to the family and know Elder Kendrick is writing new heavenly hymns.
What a wonderful man and family. I met him randomly with him grand daughter Ellie back during University. He and Myrt were so kind and welcoming. I got a copy of his book then and just got another copy. He was a son of the south and we could slightly hear it in his wonderfully thorough general conference teachings. May we have more disciples of Christ in our lives like Elder Kendrick.
God bless you.
My condolences… I love President Kendrick very much. I had 5 mission presidents on my mission and President Kendrick was the only one who made me feel I was of worth, and that I had something to contribute. All of my missionary cares always melted the minute I saw him and I always felt strengthened when we parted ways. He was a magnificent man and I will always love him.
Lionel was and continues to be a unique person, one filled with love, enthusiasm, and boundless optimism. Carolyn and I send our love and condolences together with an expression of deepest gratitude for the association we have been privileged to have with Lionel and Myrtis over the years.
It was a beautiful service. Sending our love to the Kendrick family!
Sending my love and prayers to the Kendrick family. What a great and loving leader!
I heard of his passing, and I would like to send you this message you were better than the best