Floyd Kirkendall

Floyd L. Kirkendall passed away September 16, 2015 at the age of 88 in Kerrville, Texas after a lengthy illness. He and his wife, Rita Kirkendall made Kerrville their home after moving from Houston in 2004. She preceded him in death in June 2011. He is also predeceased by his parents, Floyd L. "Shorty" Kirkendall and Ada Ferguson Kirkendall and his brother, Donald Kirkendall.\r\n \r\nHe is survived by his brother, Darrell Kirkendall of Cincinnati, OH, his children Ann Williams and husband Greg of Coral Springs, FL, Kay Lewis and husband Brandon of Uvalde, TX, Donald L. Kirkendall and wife Carol of Houston, TX and James A. Kirkendall and wife Beverly of Fort Worth, TX. Grandchildren surviving are Michael R. Williams, Brian E. Williams, John B. Lewis, and Nathan C. Lewis. Surviving great-grandchildren are Holly Williams, Mallory Williams, Matthew Williams, and Katelyn Williams.\r\n \r\nMr. Kirkendall was born June 18, 1927 in Pocahontas County, Iowa. His father was a homesteader in Wyoming. Since the area was quite rugged, he sent Ada home to Iowa with older brother, Donald, before Floyd was born.\r\n \r\nDuring his elementary school years, the family lived in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Floyd's mother found a violin teacher for their sons, who now included his younger brother, Darrell. All three boys took lessons for several years, providing them all with great appreciation for various types of music for their entire lives. Also during these years, all three boys participated in the Boy Scout program. Their mother, Ada, established the first Cub Scout den in the Rio Grande Valley. As a father, Floyd was a Boy Scout troop leader for his two sons. The scouting tradition continued with his grandsons, three of whom earned Eagle Scout rank.\r\n \r\nFloyd attended high school at Wichita East High School in Wichita, Kansas. After graduation, he was drafted into the Army Air Corps at the end of WWII and worked as a payroll clerk during his service.\r\n \r\nFollowing his military service, he joined his brother Don at the University of Missouri, where he earned his degree in geology. His younger brother, Darrell, followed his brothers to Mizzou, earning his degree in Electrical Engineering. All three Kirkendall boys shared a very small travel trailer as their residence, resulting in many rather humorous events.\r\n \r\nAt the end of 1949, Floyd met Oreta "Rita" Davis and within a very short time proposed marriage. They were married November 24, 1950 in Newton, Kansas.\r\n \r\nMr. Kirkendall went to work for Dowell as a truck driver and soon moved into the company sales force selling oil well services. The company transferred the family, which now included daughter, Ann, to Houston, TX in 1954. Daughter, Kay, was born in Houston. Another transfer followed shortly to Beaumont, TX, where sons Donald Lee (Don) and James Allen (Jim) were born. The family spent six years in Louisiana (two in New Orleans, two in Franklin, and two more in New Orleans) as Floyd continued in sales for oil well service companies.\r\n \r\nIn 1966 the Kirkendall family moved back to Houston where they were charter members of Gethsemane Methodist Church in Sharpstown. Floyd served as Sunday school teacher, choir member, usher, Sunday school superintendent and was a member of the Society of St. Stephens. He and Rita also served as youth counselors for MYF. Gethsemane was a very important part of the family life.\r\n \r\nIn 1969, Floyd moved the family to Wharton, TX where he continued in oil well services sales for The Western Company for another three years.\r\n \r\nIn 1972, he made a career change and became a life agent for Bankers Life of Des Moines, which is now Principal Life. He earned his Certified Life Underwriters designation and also became a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He enjoyed helping people protect their futures.\r\n \r\nIn 1976, Floyd and Rita moved back to their home in Houston and back to their church family at Gethsemane Methodist. He remained with Principal Life until his retirement in 2012.\r\n \r\nIn 2004, the Kirkendalls moved to the Texas Hill Country which they had loved for many years. They bought a home in Kerrville, TX on a golf course. Rita said they felt like they were on vacation every day in their new home. As members of FUMC Kerrville they remained active until Rita's death in 2011.\r\n \r\nA memorial service is planned for Friday, January 15, 2016 at 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church of Kerrville, 321 Thompson Drive, Kerrville, TX officiated by Rev. Phillip Hoeflinger.