(From Parker Mortuary)
Carl Allen Kendrick, Jr., age 65, formerly of Joplin, Missouri, passed away at his home in Conway, Arkansas following a sudden illness. Carl was born June 29, 1960 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Carl A. Kendrick, Sr. and Anita Hardy Kendrick.
Carl worked in sales for most of his career, working many of those years in the mattress business and later for Autozone. He was a past President, Vice President and board member of Joplin Jaycee’s and volunteered many years for Big Brother and Big Sisters of Joplin.
Visitation is planned for Wednesday, January 21, 2026 starting at 11:00 a.m. up to service time at 12:00 p.m. in the Parker Mortuary Chapel. Cremation will follow with internment of ashes at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Joplin.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
I wanted to share at service today, but I am very emotional, especially today watching the pain and heartaches of his family as i know how they feel. Carl was a friend for over 40 years. He got me into the Jaycees. There are two incidents related to the group I will always remember. He talked me into helping with a Spook house in the Gryphon building before it was remodeled. I laid on a slab with cold spaghetti noodles and sauce on my bare stomach as if my guts were coming out. Definitely a weird feeling. Another Jaycee adventure was a scavenger hunt. Seeing how I was pregnant, I was designated driver while several sat in the bed of my pick up with their drinks of choice. What a fun day that was.
ReplyDeleteThe most special part of Carl as a person, was the love of his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He was so proud of them and bragged on them every chance he got. Carl was one of my first visitors after having my son. Then 23 years later he brought me a pink stuffed bunny to give my granddaughter. I still have it. Carl was such a caring and loving person. He was one in a million. Everytime I hear the songs "My Girl" and "Rock Steady" , I have an image in my mind if him dancing. And, the multiple times at The Red Lion on stage doing the dance "The Bird". So many memories to cherish. RIP MY FRIEND 🧡
I wanted to get up and share at service today, but I am an emotional person and didn't think I could get through it. First of all, Carl was a one in a million and it showed for the love of his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He bragged on them every chance he got. He was a good soul with a big heart. Carl was one of the first to come to hospital when I had my son. 23 years later when my granddaughter was born, he gave her a stuffed pink bunny, which I still have. He encouraged me to join Jaycees. One of First things he got me to do was to help with a haunted house in the Gryphon building before it was remodeled. I laid on a table with spaghetti noodles and sauce on my bare stomach as if my guts were hanging out. Then, there was a time the Jaycees had a scavenger hunt. Seeing as I was pregnant at the time, I was the designated driver while several of them rode in the back of my pickup with their drinks of their choice. What a fun and wild day that was. Evertime i hear the songs "My Girl", " I've Got Sunshine on a Rainey Day" and "Rock Steasy", I picture Carl in his own unique dance moves. And then, all the times we were at the Red Lion on stage doing the dance to "The Bird". So many memories, too many to mention. He always had and always have a special place in my heart. RIP my friend, not saying goodbye as I will see you on the other side.
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