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Ronald Fenton Kendall, 86, passed away on June 1, 2016.
He was born in Carthage, Missouri on March 20, 1930 to Royce Kendall and Charline (Fenton) Kendall. He was raised in the Joplin area and graduated from Joplin High School in 1948. He attended the University of Arkansas before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He married Sue Ann Pearson on August 11, 1951, in Los Lunas, New Mexico, where he was stationed. He was a member of the Air Police Squadron, received the National Defense Service Medal and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant during his 4 years of service.
He completed his education at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, earning a B.S. in Physics in 1957. After graduating, he accepted a job as a research physicist for the U.S. Bureau of Mines in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He performed and published research on the differentiation of organic compounds through mass spectrometry and chromatography. Later, he worked for the Department of Energy, researching enhanced oil recovery, including the impact of oil recovery processes on the environment. He concluded his career at the National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research, where he was the technical editor of research publications.
Ron had a number of hobbies and interests. He always had a great passion for music, especially big band music. He could play a variety of instruments, playing the drums and the trumpet in a band while in the Air Force, and singing and playing the piano by ear later in life. He also loved to play golf. He and his family were members of Sunset Country Club, which was his second home. He played many courses throughout the country, with his favorite location being Myrtle Beach. He also enjoyed gardening and watching backyard wildlife. He was always curious and loved to read and learn. His favorite subject was American history, particularly World War II.
Ron endured many tragedies in his life, losing his sister Karen Grover and her family, his parents, and two daughters, Kimberly and Stephanie between 1969 and 1978. Ron dealt with such devastating loss stoically. He always had a kind and generous spirit, and will be remembered for his witty sense of humor, which he carried with him to the end. He was a proud father to Amee and grandpa to Corinne, Caleb, and Caden Pichler.
He was preceded in death by Sue, his wife of nearly 64 years, in 2015. We rejoice with the hope that he has been reunited with her and his other loved ones in Heaven. He will be buried alongside them at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri, in a graveside service on Monday, June 6th at 1:00 in the afternoon.
If you would like to memorialize him, please make a donation to the church or charity of your choice . Services will be under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. Friends who wish may sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org
Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory
1600 Southeast Washington Boulevard
Bartlesville, OK 74006
(918) 333-4300
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