Gordon Wray Kendrick

Gordon Wray Kendrick, 87, of Centerview, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Independence, Missouri, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Wednesday, October 5, 1938, in Essex, Ontario, Canada, to the late William John and Fanny Grace (Dawson) Kendrick. Gordon graduated from Holden High School in 1956 and later attended Graceland University. He and Jodie were united in marriage on July 28, 1972, and shared 53 wonderful years together. Gordon’s family moved from Essex, Ontario for the church, and both faith and family remained central to his life. He was deeply involved in his children’s activities and especially enjoyed attending high school football games. Watching his children and grandchildren compete in their sporting events was one of his greatest joys. He also had a lifelong love of history and spent many happy hours visiting historical war sites and watching westerns on Sunday afternoons after church. A farmer throughout his life, Gordon worked on his father’s farm before taking a position with Standard Oil Fertilizer and then Holden Fertilizer. He later spent 16 years as a machinist with Gilcrest Equipment Company. Gordon is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Carolyn Sue (Hunter) Kendrick; two brothers, Marvin and Floyd Kendrick; three sisters, Lela Lee, Marion Simpson, and Verda Kettlewell; his daughter Susan Jennings; and his son-in-law, Russell Jennings. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jodie Kendrick, of the home; two sons, Michael (Emily Larkin) Kendrick and John (Jessica) Kendrick; and two daughters from his first marriage to Carolyn Sue—Laurel (Steve) Herrera, and Julia (Phil) Lisciandra. He is also survived by eight cherished grandchildren: Luke (Holly) Jennings, Renae Jennings (Micah Guyton), Sam Herrera, Carolyn Herrera (Freddy Barrera), Anna (Jake) VanDiggelen, Emily Curran (Jeff Borage), Grace Kendrick, and Lane Kendrick; and three great-grandchildren, Brady and Macy Jennings, and Nora VanDiggelen. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Campbell-Cast Funeral Home, 407 S. Pine St., Holden, Missouri. A funeral service will follow on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Holden Community of Christ, 401 S. Pine St., Holden, Missouri. Interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Susan Jennings Memorial Scholarship, c/o F&C Bank, 1006 Eagle Crest Dr., Holden, MO 64040. Funeral arrangements entrusted into the care of Campbell-Cast Funeral Home, a Stewart Family Company, and online condolences may be made to the family at castfuneralhome.com

Gordon Wray Kendrick

October 5, 1938 - November 13, 2025