Henry F. Kendall

1931-2013 Henry F. Kendall, age 82, a resident of Belen, NM passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 12, 2013. He was born April 9, 1931 in Wadesboro, North Carolina to Crowell and Ollie Preslar Kendall. He grew up in a farming family growing cotton and grain using good old horses, mules and plows. Dad told many stories about plowing the fields and picking cotton. He left Wadesboro and went to Red Springs, North Carolina and ran a Hot Dog Stand for a time earning him the nickname “Hot Dog Henry”. Henry was drafted into the Army in 1952 after he had already made the move to New Mexico looking to get hired onto the Railroad. He got hired onto the Santa Fe Railroad and then had to take a leave from his job to serve his 2 years in the Army. Henry worked for the Railroad for 40 years. He started as a switchman, then yardmaster working in the West Tower, then finished his career as a Conductor. He retired in 1992 Henry married the love of his life Arnita Mann Kendall on January 13, 1965. They spent 48 wonderful and interesting years together that was always centered around each other and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Crowell Pittman Kendall and Ollie Preslar Kendall; brothers, Jack, Lee, Charles and Wyman Kendall; and a son, Michael Kendall. Henry is survived by his loving wife, Arnita; daughter, Sandra and husband, Marti of California; grandchildren, Kerri and husband, Kevin Ramos of California and Alan and wife, Kaycee of Ohio; two great-grandsons, Koehn and Kolton Ramos; brothers, Earl and wife, Luana of Clovis, Graham and wife, Mary of North Carolina; and sister, Edna March of Virginia. Henry was a devoted Husband, Father and Grandpa. He is cherished by his family and will be always remembered as a faithful servant of his Lord. All services will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, on Thursday, December 19, beginning with a Viewing at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Thursday, December 19, at 3:00 p.m. Sign Henry’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM

Henry F. Kendall

April 9, 1931 - December 12, 2013