The Kendall-Hartcraft® family mourns the loss of one of our founders, Jack Kendall. 

Jack passed away in the early morning hours on February 15, 2008.  His passing came as a shock to family and friends. 

He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, two children and their spouses, five grandchildren, three sisters, three sisters-in-law, four brothers-in-law, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and acquaintances.

We would like to take this moment to share with you a little about the man we all loved and now mourn.

Jack Michael Kendall
May 13, 1929 – February 15, 2008
Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather, Uncle, Mentor and Friend

Jack Kendall was an easy man to know and be around.  He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.  He could spin a yarn with the best of them.  We looked forward to every morning when he would make his grand entrance and disrupt our office with his stories and latest bit of wisdom.  He kept up with all the current events from sports to politics and was not afraid to offer his opinion.  Jack frequently boasted that he was one of the most informed people in our city.  He loved people and really enjoyed attending industry trade shows.  

Jack was a very generous man.  His generosity was of spirit, deeds, as well as money.  Any time he was needed to lend a helping hand, Jack was there.  He helped repair employee’s cars.  He loaned tools, trucks, any equipment you needed.  He gave people rides across town, never looking to get anything in return.  He was always there to help when the chips were down.

Jack was a firm believer in a strong work ethic.  Over the course of his lifetime he worked in a number of different fields, from several railroad positions to watching sheep, to working construction.  He believed people had to be responsible for themselves and their actions and work was part of that responsibility. 

Jack was a real rocket scientist.  He worked at NASA for years and was involved in several programs including the Gemini, Mercury, and Saturn Projects. 

After retiring from NASA he went to work fulltime with his wife Edna in the family business -- Art Mart (later renamed Kendall-Hartcraft®).  During this time he raised his two children, Wes and J.J., in the business.  In 1994, he and Edna turned over the reigns to their children. 

After a lifetime of working, Jack retired again.  Then he proceeded to go to work everyday just in case he was needed (and to keep an eye on the place).

Jack was a Bulldog.  A Mississippi State Bulldog, in fact. He was a graduate of MSU with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He was very supportive of the athletic program through the years as a football season ticket holder.  During football season he always held court in his blue recliner in his office, talking strategy, recruits, and coaches.

Jack treated everyone the same.  If you made him laugh, he laughed.  If you made him mad, he fussed.  You could actually achieve both in the same day, the same hour, and the same conversation if you weren’t careful.

We all loved Jack and will miss him deeply.