Kip Kendall

1948 - 2024

Born the second son of 6 boys and 3 girls in an action-packed household to Helen & Enos Kendall in Danville, Illinois, Kip learned determination early on & succeeded at pretty much everything he set his mind to. He was a supportive brother, good student, loyal friend and a natural with business dealings (masterfully managing his newspaper route & collections in record time on his super Schwinn). Competition and athletics were big in his family and his shelf on the trophy case included baseball, football, tennis and some serious swag from perfecting his lifelong love of golf - caddying for his dad & others in town until graduating from Schlarman High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served 4 years, specializing in linguistics at various bases including California, which influenced his move to what became his most successful adventure yet.

Kip spent his adult life as a real estate developer, and believed fiercely in the American Dream of ownership. One of his proudest achievements was the dreaming, planning, building and launching of the Napa Valley Wine Train. He shared his love of golf with others through spearheading development of the Eagle Vines Golf Club (fka Chardonnay Golf Club). He loved cheering his children on as they played basketball and volleyball, believed in the mission of the Boys and Girls Club, being a good neighbor, a loyal friend, and listening to baseball games on the radio. He loved eating at old school restaurants, a good patty melt from a diner, ordering a Crab Louie for lunch, and thick NY style cheesecake. His sweet tooth was unparalleled, as was his love of the written word. He read the newspaper daily, solved the crossword in ballpoint pen, and enjoyed reading out the headlines to whomever might be within earshot. He lived unapologetically, did not suffer fools, and prized a solid work ethic.

Kip died peacefully on Monday, December 2nd, at home with his devoted wife, Melody, He is survived by three brothers and two sisters, countless nieces and nephews, and his three children: Rev. Kathleen Kendall Davies, (husband Tim and grandchildren Bennett and Anne) of Houston, TX, Koryn Kendall (& Carson Gregory) of San Francisco, CA, and Kip Charles Kendall of Spokane, WA. We will miss hearing him sing "Peg O' My Heart" as he walked down the hall. Donations in his memory may be made to the Napa County Library, 580 Coombs St, Napa CA 94559 folnapa.org or A Community of the Servant-Savior Presbyterian Church, 11303 Houston, TX 77089 www.servantsavior.org