Baynard Harwick Kendrick Jr., 95, of Kingsland died March 13, 2016

Baynard Hardwick Kendrick Jr. passed away March 13, 2016. Visitation is 1-2 p.m. March 16 with a service at 2:30 p.m. at Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 900 Industrial Blvd. in Kingsland, (325) 388-6767. Burial will follow at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park.

Baynard was born Sept. 9, 1920, in Palatka, Florida. After graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving through the end of World War II.

On June 23, 1942, he married Betty Jo Davenport, with whom he remained faithful for 72 years.

After returning from the war in the South Pacific, he was called into another service as a minister. For 37 years, he served as pastor in eight different churches while also serving as an evangelist in over 100 churches. During his retirement years, he served as interim pastor in nine churches, senior adult pastor in LaCenter, Kentucky, for three years and helped start three new churches. One of his most cherished ministries during his retirement years was what he referred to as his “Wal-Mart ministry,” where he handed out small crosses with the poem “A Cross in My Pocket” to those he encountered as he walked the aisles of Wal-Mart for the purpose of encouraging each one who received the gift he had to offer. He loved people, but he loved even more sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and the promise of hope others could find in Him. The motto of the Marines “Semper Fidelis” describes him best: Always faithful — to his country, his wife, his family, his calling and, most of all, to his heavenly Father. This is the legacy he left to his children and grandchildren, and for that, they will always be grateful.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo; parents, B.H. and Edythe Kendrick Sr.; and sisters Edith Zepp and Julia Elmore.

He is survived by three sons and their families, B.B. and Kathy Kendrick, Dan and Kate Kendrick, and Bryan and Peggy Kendrick; two daughters and their families, Carolyn and Mike Caplinger and Joyce and Jim Gray; 13 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

His grandsons will be serving as the pallbearers.

The family would like to thank Anna Rojas, who lovingly cared for both B.H. and Betty for over three years, Katy of Visiting Angels, the staff at Stoney Brook Assisted Living, and the amazing staff at Providence Hospice for all their compassionate, loving care.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice.

Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net with condolences.