Dennis James Kendrick

Dennis James Kendrick, 73, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2024. His life was cut short by myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a cancer of the bone marrow. With treatments and an awesome team of doctors and caregivers, friends and family were blessed to have him around for an extra year of life after his diagnosis.
Denny leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Carol, and daughter Jessica Fly (Gregory). Other immediate family members who grieve his loss include sisters Maria Best (Mike), Nancy Kendrick (Carrie), and brother Ken Kendrick (Susan). He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ruth Kendrick of Camp Verde, Arizona. He will also be missed by his extended family who include Mary and Jim Lorenz, Richard and Maureen Lorenz, Kyle Best, Tim Kendrick (Katie and Kaya), Alex Kendrick, Rachael Ives (Brent, Nathaniel, Mercy), Krysten Staperfenne (Tom, Madison, David), Ellen Rietenbach (Eric), and his favorite grand dog Hudson (woof!).
He was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Prescott, Arizona. He was a 1968 graduate of Prescott High School, where he was an all-star athlete and a friend to all. Denny went to Mesa Community College and Arizona State University on baseball scholarships, playing in the college world series several times. He went on to further his baseball career playing in the farm system for the San Francisco Giants. Denny then held several positions in the construction industry and ultimately retired from the United States Postal Service after a 20-year career as a letter carrier.
Denny was a supportive husband and father who championed both Carol and Jessica's interests, hobbies and careers. He never missed the opportunity to pull the wool over the eyes of his nieces and nephews with a prank or a joke. Denny was quite the handman and liked to putter around the house and in the yard. Those who knew him in the mountain community of Forest Lakes, knew him as the guy who kept an immaculate forest yard. Sports continued to be his passion, enjoying both watching and participating in many activities. He was a natural and gifted athlete. The annual golf tournament with his friends from his college days was always a highlight. He had a love/hate relationship with the Arizona Diamondbacks and followed all the home team sports, often yelling at the television. He was always competitive when playing sports, yard games, and even at board games. He was passionate about managing his Fantasy Football team in our family league. Those who knew him describe him as a great friend, a kind and patient man, and a wonderful partner and father for Carol and Jessica.
As a practical man, Denny rarely gave flowers as a loving gesture since the joy they brought was temporary and faded with time. In his passing we ask that in lieu of flowers, do something meaningful to you in his honor. Raise a glass in a toast, play a round of golf with his name on the ball and wear ridiculous pants or travel to a place you've always wanted to visit, and then tell us all about it. Denny also was a participant in a study about MDS and if you would like to make a donation to help other patients be successful, we recommend the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://www.lls.org/ways-help/donation-frequently-asked-questions or Be The Match (stem cell transplant donor matching) https://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-financially
Denny's family invites all who knew him to "come as you are" and attend a casual Celebration of Life open house reception on Friday, August 9, 2024, from 2-5 pm at Hansen's Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.