A.D. Kendrick

A Time to be Born: November 20, 1930

A.D. Kendrick was born to George Kendrick and Mattie Exie-Sturges-Kendrick of Haynesville, Louisiana. Prior to his high school graduation the family relocated from Haynesville to Los Angeles, California (hereafter L.A). His parents purchased a home on Bandera Street in L.A. He attended David Starr Jordan Senior High School where he played football and earned his high school diploma. The school mascot for Jordan was the Bulldog. Upon retirement, at age 65 years old, A.D. relocated from Corona, CA to Plano, TX where he lived, thrived, worked part-time and volunteered in various capacities for an additional 30 years.

A Time to Plant:

Growing up, A.D. had a very quiet demeanor and was always “a help” to his parents. As an adult, among other traits, A.D. was rooted in these attributes: proponent of strong Christian family values, phenomenal friend, personification of life-style ministry, conversationalist, counselor and confidante, philanthropist (resources and time) and advisor to senior church leadership.

A Time to Build:

He was a devoted member of God’s Church in every place where he lived and served (from Southern California to North Texas). In each of the respective churches (Park Windsor Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Friendship Baptist Church of Yorba Linda and First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park), among other roles, A.D. served in church leadership as a deacon and a founding member of three previously un-established Scholarship Ministries for the benefit of aspiring and matriculating college students. During his time at First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park (hereafter FBCHP), A.D. also sang and traveled (locally and on three different continents) to God’s glory with the Male Chorus. To God’s glory and to A.D.’s astonishment, in 2005, A.D. was recognized by church leadership and his congregation as the Man of the Year and the recipient of the Allen B. Foxhall award from the FBCHP.

A Time to Love:

First was his love of Jesus Christ, then came the love for his devoted wife (Carolyn) and his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and his extended family. A.D. and Carolyn worshipped together, traveled domestically and internationally together, were honored together, counseled and ministered together, encouraged together and inspired others together. It is a little known family secret that his initial relationship with Carolyn began with a combination of his “ole school” chivalry along with an impromptu dedication of the Barry White song: “Just the way you are”! It was clear that A.D. and Carolyn were mutually smitten after their initial encounter at the home of Pauline and Robert Smith (sister and brother-in-law).

A Time to Work:

A.D. was an entrepreneur for over 40 years in Southern California and was vocationally trained as a shoe cobbler. He began an apprenticeship under the watchful eye and supervision of a tenured shoe craftsman. Because of his God-given business acumen, personal discipline and determination to succeed, A.D. rapidly progressed to store management. He eventually managed multiple locations. Later as a business owner, he serviced individual customers as well as government entities and corporate clients. He successfully secured contracts with the California Dept of Corrections and later with Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. A.D. literally kept Mickey and Minnie Mouse in reliable shoes.

A Time to Play:

In his youth, A.D. especially enjoyed playing baseball. As an elder, he surrounded himself with bright, young and vibrant friends. He loved to cook! He was known for barbequing brisket and preparing special family brunches that often included friend chicken and homemade waffles. He thoroughly enjoyed laughing, “sports talk”, telling jokes, “talking trash”, bowling, playing any kind of card/board game and watching all kinds of sports on TV. If you asked him, he would tell you that he “put the spots on the dominoes”. His favorite sports teams were the San Francisco 49ers, Texas Rangers and the San Antonio Spurs. He could never spend enough time watching old episodes of “Alvin and the Chipmunks”. His personal hallmarks always included empathy, respect and a genuine affinity for people. If you asked him, A.D. would tell you that chivalry is not dead.

A Time to Die, “Yet” a time to Live Eternally: A.D. Kendrick, heaven-bound on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM Central Time.

A.D.’s relatives & those he leaves to behind to carry on his legacy:

Beloved wife: Carolyn Jean Robinson-KENDRICK (deceased). Children: Darrolyn Yvette Jamerson (deceased), Jerome Kendrick (deceased), George G. Robinson/Madie M. Robinson, Kyttrick L. Robinson. Grandchildren: Kamorri Denard Roberson, Jessika Patrice Robinson, Anthony D. Robinson Sr. M. Ed/Rashea Robinson. Great grandchildren: Janelle Patrice Robinson, Anthony D. A. Robinson Jr. Siblings: Pauline Smith/Robert Smith (deceased), Javan Kendrick (deceased), Robert D. Kendrick (deceased), George Kendrick (deceased), John L. Kendrick (deceased), cousins, nieces and nephews. Also, he additionally had a “host” of adopted cousins, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren—a whole church family