In Loving Memory of

John Albert Kendrick

December 23, 1930 – December 26, 2022

John Albert Kendrick passed away on December 26, 2022 at the Villa Marie Covenant Care, Red Deer, Alberta at the age of 92 years. John will be lovingly remembered by his cousins Bert Lougheed, June Gardin, David Lougheed and Wayne Lougheed; close family friends, Barb and John Rozic; Ivan Rozic and Leesa Rozic and children Faith, Rachel and Ryan; Don Knopp; Darryle and Betty Lou Holt; and other extended family and friends.

John was predeceased by his father Charles Kendrick in March 1977 and his mother Margaret Kendrick in December 1987. He was also predeceased by his uncles and aunts from the Lougheed family as well as a close cousin, June Henderson. John was also predeceased by his aunts and uncles from the Kendrick family. John was also predeceased by his dear friend, Dorothy Vahey, in 2006.

John grew up on the family farm in the Knee Hill Valley district about 20 miles east of Innisfail. It was a typical mixed farm of that time period – 160 acres of land with a mix of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs along with some grain and hay. From an early age John didn’t relate well to the farm animals but he loved the cats. He walked to school at Mount Pleasant which was about two miles from home.

In 1944 the Kendricks moved to a different farm about four miles west of Innisfail on Highway 54 just north of the current Innisfail Golf Course.

John’s real interest was in all things mechanical. He had a section in the basement in the house where he worked on his “inventions”. He was known to have contrived and constructed some interesting “gadgets” for someone so young and they actually did work. One of John’s “inventions” was a crystal radio that he built. John and his cousin Bert had lots of fun with the radio – they would put on headsets and search for a radio station by moving the little “feeler” around on the metal crystal. One of the most remarkable things John built was his steam engine. Most kids might have a toy steam engine but John built all the parts for his and it was a fairly large steam tractor that actually worked and moved around. It was about 26 inches long and 14 inches high. It looked just like the real ones that his father had built in Ontario before moving out West.

The Kendrick family moved into the Town of Innisfail in the spring of 1963. John loved gardening and his garden was large and meticulously tended. He usually stored enough vegetables to last them through most of the winters.

In his younger years John enjoyed fishing, duck hunting and other outdoor adventures. He belonged to the Innisfail Fish and Game Association for many years.

In the 1960s John enrolled in the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and obtained his Steam Engineer’s Certificate as well as his Motor Mechanic’s Certificate. John worked many years at Les’s Auto Repair in Innisfail until his retirement in the mid -1990’s.

John loved his cars – his favourite was his orange coloured Volkswagen Beetle. It was, in his opinion, perfect. Economical, simple to operate and easy to maintain. He enjoyed driving it for many years. Finally he bought a “new” Beetle but it just wasn’t the same. He felt it just had too many “gadgets”.

In 1965 John bought another car – a new Studebaker which he also enjoyed. He joined The Studebaker Club and started going to their car rallies. It was at one of those rallies that he met his dear friend, Dorothy Vahey, who also owned a Studebaker. They were great companions and enjoyed travelling to many Studebaker events. They also enjoyed a trip to Hawaii.

John was a much loved member of Dorothy’s family and they all enjoyed many little jaunts together – sightseeing, gold panning, fishing and picnics. Sadly in 2006 Dorothy passed away. John remained a dear friend of her family right up to his passing.

The family is sincerely grateful to the staff at the Villa Marie in Red Deer for their exceptional care and kindness during John’s last two years.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held at the Innisfail United Church on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to the Medicine River Wildlife Centre, www.mrwc.ca or to your local SPCA, or a charity of your choice.

• Date : 2022-12-26
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home