Joseph F. Kenrick

Joseph “Joe” F. Kenrick passed away in his sleep on June 26, 2014 with family by his side; he was 98. Joe was a role model, known for his generosity, love, and passion for inspiring people to find faith in God. Joe was born in Gettysberg, PA, where his family had lived for 5 generations. After witnessing first hand the many struggles of the Great Depression, Joe became determined to find hope in the future. He had a vision. “Go West young man, go West – got a dream, got a song, paint your wagon and come along!” Joe packed up his mother and young sister, and drove to Fresno. Joe got a job working for Standard Oil and worked his way through school. He attended Fresno State College where he majored in agriculture and joined the Sigma Chi fraternity. When World War II arose, Joe went to work for Consolidated Aircraft building B-24 bombers, where he quickly rose in rank. Joe then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in San Diego where he met his wife, Emily. While still stationed in San Diego, Joe was sent to Milwaukee to assist Ford with production challenges. After being caught in a deadly blizzard in Milwaukee, Joe was rescued by Charles Lindbergh, who had a telephone in his glove compartment. After the war, Joe moved back to Fresno to work as Gin Manager for Producers Cotton Oil Company. He then formed an agricultural chemical company, which he eventually sold and became a farm broker for Pearson Realty. Joe was written up in several publications, including the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times for his many accomplishments as a farm broker. Every year one of the top real estate firms in California gives out the famous Joseph F. Kenrick “Bulldog Award” to it’s top achievers. Known to many as “Sesame Joe,” Joe introduced sesame to the Valley, and invented the first sesame harvester. Joe was full of vision and joy. Joe is preceded in death by his wife Emily. He is survived by his daughter Joyce Nordstrom, son Jeffrey Kenrick, and grandchildren Steven Nordstrom, Matthew Kenrick, David Kenrick, and Eileen Schley.