James Merlin Kendall, 95, of Council Grove, KS passed away December 15, 2014 at Diversicare of Council Grove.
He was born July 7, 1919, in Morris County to Samuel Arthur and Agnes (Peterson) Kendall. Jim graduated from Council Grove High School in 1937, as Valedictorian of his class. He graduated from Kansas State University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. He served in the United States Air Force from 1944 to 1947.
Jim married Phyllis McCormick in 1943 and later divorced. They had three children: James, David and Margaret.
In 1947, he went to work as the Chief Clerk for the US Senate Committee for Forestry and Agriculture. He married Geneva Blackwelder and she later passed away. In 1997, Jim married Marjorie Munkres, his best friend's widow.
In 1974, Jim retired from the Senate, after serving 27 years. He volunteered at the Arlington Hospital Center for several years. He taught adult Sunday School for 17 years, at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, where he was a long time member. He was also a member of the board of trustees for the church.
In 2003, Marjorie and Jim moved back to Council Grove, KS. They enjoyed extensive traveling, including China, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland and across Europe. Their latest trip was an Alaskan two week cruise in 2009, celebrating his 90th birthday. Later that year, Jim moved to Diversicare.
He was a member of the Community Christian Church. His hobbies included fishing, football, bridge, and Cribbage.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Geneva, and sisters, Dorothy Pullian and Cecilia Koontz.
He is survived by his wife Marjorie, of Council Grove; children, James Kendall, of Arlington, VA, David Kendall and wife Peggy, of Bowie, MD, Margaret Belfield and husband Stewart, of Reston, VA, and Ted Blackwelder and wife Lillian, of Phoenix, AZ; granddaughter, Stephanie Barnard (Chris), of Woodbine, MD; 3 great-grandchildren, Christopher, Gabriella and Juliana; and 2 step grandchildren, Melissa and Laura.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Christian Church or Diversicare of Council Grove. They may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.