James Kendall
December 9, 1944 ~ December 31, 2022
James Ray Kendall, 78, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022, at the Bickford Care Center, in Marion. Memorial Christian Mass: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2023, St. Matthew Catholic Parish in Cedar Rapids. Father Douglas Loecke will officiate. Visitation: 9:00 a.m. ' 10:00 a.m. Thursday, at the church. Burial will take place in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Military rites will be rendered at the cemetery. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services of Cedar Rapids is caring for the family.James Ray Kendall is survived by wife, Theresa; daughter, Eugenia Kendall (Bill Pitka); two brothers and sisters-in-law, Danial (Sheri) Kendall, Richard (Mary) Kendall; and numerous other relatives and friends.James was born December 9, 1944, the son of Leo and Charlotte in Castana, Iowa. He grew up in Toledo. Jim was the oldest of three boys. He graduated from South Tama High School in 1963. Jim remained close with his childhood friends, throughout his entire life. He enjoyed getting together with them for a monthly "boy's night out", where they played pool together. James was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served four years, achieving the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. James received an honorable discharge. He worked for the State of Iowa, five years as a surveyor, and, at the U. S. Postal Service, in Cedar Rapids, for 28 years. Jim retired as Superintendent of Mails, from the U.S. Post Office. Jim met his wife Theresa while working at the Post Office. They have been married 47 years. After retirement, he worked at the Airport Shuttle for eight years and retired in November of 2018. James loved driving his car, reading books, playing cards, watching westerns, and spending time with his family and friends. James was a kind and generous husband, father, brother, and friend. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.He is preceded in death by his parents Leo and Charlotte.The family extends their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at Bickford of Marion and Gentiva Hospice.A memorial fund has been established in James' name and may be directed to the family.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. Faith uphold you.
My father was a kind and generous man who did whatever he could to put his family, friends and neighbors first. He loved people and getting to know them. He always had a story to tell, a joke to share and a big smile and laugh to go with it. One of the things I read on his military discharge papers from the Marines is that he received honors for good conduct and excellent marksmanship. He could lead others into difficult combat situations and was a true leader as a Sargent that also served him well as a supervisor at the Post Office. I loved and admired him and feel honored to have called him my father.
One hell of a man !!!
OOH RAH
Critter
So many memories of Jim running mail processing operation back in the good old days. Nobody did it better or had a better handle on mail processing then Jim. The place was never the same after he retired. Hopefully you will find a good cribbage partner up there that you win a dollar off of every once in a while. He was and always will be a legend in my book. Thanks for the memories, Jim. Aric (Thumper) Henderson
I always strived to be like Jim, at work, but always fell short! He was an inspiration! Semper Fi!
I was one of about 15 borrowed clerks in Mail Processing back in the 80’s. My daughter played HS softball- I’d bring in the game schedule and he would make sure I had those days off. I promised him I’d be at work on weekends though! Jim was a total class act in every sense of the word. Jim Houlihan has the cribbage board set up! Play on!
May peace and comfort find you during this difficult time. We hope this living tribute will sustain James Kendall’s memory. May the Lord be with you
My thoughts and prayers for the whole family, He taught me how to be a good clerk Iam today
Jim Kendall – One hell of a man. He was instrumental in the success of the Cedar Rapids Post Office. He developed more people into true Men and Women to provide quality workmanship. Jim was one of my mentors and I enjoyed every minute of it. He will truly be missed. Prayers to the family.
James Kendall will remain in our hearts forever.
Theresa – my sincere condolences to you, brother in law Dan and the rest of the family. I did not know Jim was in the Marines. Also I do have an Email list of those OLD CR GANG employees and I would like to add both you and Dan to it. I do send out Emails to the group when an OLD CR GANG member passes away! Just let me know at my personal Email of Mysterian@juno.com. Regards, Paul L Pickart
I have known Jim since Kindergarten. He has been a tremendous friend to Steve, Mark and myself most of our lives. But the last 20 to 25 years have been special as we gathered at one our homes to play pool and have dinner (and a toast or two). He was always smiling and soft spoken. I know that I will miss him terribly. I am sorry that I can not be there to lend my support and give you my deepest sympathy to the family. I will keep the whole family in my prayers and will light a candle for Jim at Mass.
I am truly blessed to have had Jim as a lifelong friend since we started kindergarten in Toledo. Through high school, college, military, various jobs, and marriages, Jim, Mark, Barry and I remained lifelong friends. Somehow, we all ended up in Cedar Rapids and for the last 20+ years we gathered for monthly pizza and pool contests along with a toast to birthdays and holidays. But always a toast to God for allowing us to meet for another game. We listened to our old music and reminisced about past experiences. Many of which we would have loved to share if anyone would listen, along with many that will stay with just the four of us forever. We debated and solved most of the world’s problems, some of which the “world” was not aware of yet. Jim’s input, his jokes, his laugh, his memories and his friendship will be missed. He will have a place in my heart forever.
Theresa and Eugenia, Our prayers and sympathy to you on Jim’s passing. We remember him as a kind person.
what a privilege it was to get to care for Jim at Bickford. he was such a kind hearted, loving, and witty man. everyday when i came in to work, he always had something witty and kind to say. i’ve never seen him without a smile on his face. all my love. what a privilege it was💗
Thersea, Dan and families,
My sympathy to you in the passing of Jim. Truly enjoyed working with him, when he was on Tour 3 and I was on Tour 1. It was always great to get to work a little early and listen to all that he had to say about the days activities, even the stories of his trips to Toledo. Great guy
Woody Swartzendruber
Kendall family,
So sorry to hear about Jim’s passing, you have my deepest sympathy. Jim was good high school friend and was one of my military brothers. I have not seen Jim for several years because I live in another state, I will always have fond memories of him. I will keep the family in my prayers
Rest in peace you will never be forgotten,
Lyle Musel
I’m sorry for your loss. I worked under Jim at the Cedar Rapids Post Office for a lot of years. He was my supervisor on tour 3 and he will be missed dearly.
Thank you to everyone who has shared a memory, came to his visitation, service, burial and/or reception. We appreciate all of your love and support. Here are a few pictures from Jim’s memorial slide show.
With peace and love,
Gina Kendall
with sympathy to the Kendall family know them all from the ole days back in toledo hope the brothers are doing good peace be with u all at this time of sorrow don mull
For the family of James Kendall. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I enjoyed working at the Cedar Rapids Post Office for Jim as the tour 3 manager. He was very nice to me even when he chastised me for various reasons. I only have good memories of him.