James Reese Kendrick

James Reese Kendrick passed away in Twin Falls, Idaho on February 14, 2021 at the age of 95. He was born on October 26, 1925 to James C. and Hazel Reese Kendrick. Jim was the third of four children. His parents taught him how to put in a hard day of work while growing up on the farm. He was often was up and at it before the sun came up and put in a long day at work. He joined the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. He spent most of his time in the Pacific Theater. Jim was a member of the Filer Post of the American Legion for several decades and enjoyed many card games there. After the war was over, he returned to Idaho and met Helen Francis Harlow and they were married on November 7, 1948. Jim farmed and Helen was a registered nurse. Together they raised three daughters. Jim was an excellent farmer and many times had the highest yield of sugar beets in his area. If there was a weed in any of his fields, it was one too many! He and Helen had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world. One of their trips took them to Australia and New Zealand for a month. During that time, they stayed with farm families and shared their farming experiences. They were able to see the pyramids in Egypt, as well as sites in Greece and Ireland. After Jim retired, he was not content to sit still. He worked for several farmers working ground for planting and harvesting crops. He worked in the beet and potato harvest driving truck until he was almost ninety and would have worked longer if he had been able. In the last few years he often had vivid dreams of hauling beets and it was often hard to convince him is truck was not parked outside of Chardonnay House! He always shared, “I quit farming too soon.” In retirement, he took up woodworking. Many was the morning that he was in his garage much before the sun came up cutting out shelves, knick-knacks and clocks. All of his friends and family have numerous samples of his craft to remember him by! After he was not able to continue with woodworking, he took up collecting, shelling and selling English Walnuts. He would spend the fall gathering the nuts. He put them in his garage to dry and then spent the winter shelling, bagging and selling hundreds of pounds of them. In addition to his woodworking pieces, we all had an endless supply of walnuts! Even as he neared the end of his days, he kept looking for things he could do to stay busy. He made many little wooden toys from kits to give to family and the staff at Chardonnay Assisted Living. When he couldn’t get the little nails in right he resorted to Gorilla Glue. If something couldn’t be fixed with Gorilla Glue, it couldn’t be fixed! He is proceeded in death by his parents Jim and Hazel Kendrick, his wife, Helen and his sisters, Beth Blaimires and Rosie McHargue. He was also proceeded in death by grandson Brian Ohlensehlen and great-grandsons Jamie Peyman and Izaiah Gonzales. He is survived by his daughters Darlena (Bob) Ohlensehlen, Rhonda Gassert and Judy (John) Fisher. Grandchildren - Jim (Wendy) Ohlensehlen, Cindy Bell, Brandie Ayers, Michael (Sonam) Gassert, Shannon Alexander, and Stacey Nelson. and also great grandchildren, Madison, Sydney, Matthew, and Sadie Ohlensehlen, Camryn Stuhlberg, Olivia, Leah, and Issac Gonzales, Cody and Taylor Ayers, Michael, Matthew, and Lexi Gassert, Coy, Jordan, and Casey Peyman, and Kaden and Rylee Borkowski. He had one great-great grandson, Tristian Ayers. He is also survived by his sister Nelda Rae Tommer. Jim spent his last years at Chardonnay Assisted Living where he truly loved the staff there. (Even though he often gave them a bad time!) Their care and love for Jim meant so much. The family would like to thank the staff at Chardonnay Assisted Living, Dr. Daniel Preucil and Visions Hospice for their kindness and care for our dad during his final years and especially his final days. At Jim’s request there will be no services.