Joseph Russell Kendrick, 64, of Sedalia, MO, and Littleton, CO, passed away Friday, September 14, 2018, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.
He was born April 9, 1954, in Denver, CO, a son of Richard T. and Marjorie A. (Jeffries) Kendrick.
On August 30, 1980, in Wheat Ridge, CO, he married Gail A. (Steves).
Joe worked in safety management all over the world. He contributed much to the safety world and was known as “Safety Joe.” Most recently he worked in New York working on the new dormitory at the West Point military base. Joseph was also a Certified Safety Profession (CSP) who worked eight years at the Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster.
Joe will be missed by his four children who he dedicated his time and attention to. Joe was always there for his children, whether it was teaching them how to ride their bikes for the first time, or walking them down the aisle on their wedding day.
He had a lifelong passion for auto racing, particularly for open wheel racing, including: sprint cars, midgets and the Indianapolis 500. He was a volunteer for the Washington Midget Racing Association and developed many safety innovations well before they become commonplace.
Joe’s talent was always an inspiration to those around him. Joe was creative in many endeavors, including painting, building a train sets, working on cars, building a house, or fixing anything (and we mean anything) that needed it. He was a very self sufficient person as he could tackle any project he put his heart and mind to.
Surviving are his wife, Gail, of Littleton, CO; four children: Cassie Eastham (Arthur), of Morrison, CO, Callie Kendrick, of Commerce City, CO, Jimmy Kendrick, of Littleton, CO, and Cammie Kendrick, of Denver, CO; four grandchildren: Rylee, Xander, Vincent and Evelyn; his parents, Rich and Marjorie Kendrick, of Mora, MO; a sister, Sue Latreille, of Spring Hill, TN; and a brother, Tim Kendrick, of Circleville, OH.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, at the First United Methodist Church Celebration Center.
Arrangements are in the care of Heckart Funeral Home.