Kendal McKaye Kral

Kendal was born on May 11, 1995, to Michael and Anah Kral in Lubbock’s St. Mary Hospital. Her father convinced the doctor to not just cut her umbilical cord but also deliver her upon close supervision. She attended high school at Monterey High and graduated in 2013. When Kendal was a toddler, she underwent several neurological surgeries and was exposed to many doctors and nurses during treatment. While most children were watching Barney or the Teletubbies, she wanted to watch what she referred to as “Hospital”, which was the hit television show ER. From that time forward she showed an interest in medicine. She attended South Plains College to become a Certified Nurse Assistant. She worked as a CNA at Covenant Hospital in the medical surgical unit. She continued her interest in nursing and attended Covenant School of Nursing where she became a registered nurse in 2018. She immediately took a job at Covenant Children’s Hospital as a critical care nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where she served many families in times of crisis and saved the lives of many children. While she worked full time she completed her Bachelors degree in Nursing from West Texas A&M University. Kendal flourished in a challenge and was drawn to children who needed critical care. She was passionate about her patients and their families. Many times she would check on a patient and their families when she was off work by calling her co-workers. She felt very strongly about being an advocate for her patients especially for children who were abused. Kendal continued her training in critical care nursing and volunteered to be trained as one of the few certified ECMO nurses. This machine is an advanced life saving machine that replaces the function of the heart and lungs. She worked with both children and adults while performing her duties as an ECMO nurse. Kendal found love, compassion and strength through healing her patients, their families and many times praying for miracles. Kendal enjoyed being with friends, playing with her dogs, Kinsler and Capri, and loving on them. She had a kindness for animals that was unmatched. She enjoyed watching true crime shows and trying to solve the case. However, she would not watch a movie, especially a sad one, that involved a dog. She loved watching sports and going to little league games to watch friends and her brother. She was quick to let the umpires know when they missed a call.

Kendal was survived by her parents, Michael and Anah Kral of Lubbock. Her brother, Cameron Kral of Lubbock, her grandparents Phil and Judi Robinson of Waco, and Dania North of Amarillo, as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins and friends who were near and dear to her heart.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Saving Grace Rescue LBK, a dog rescue organization, are suggested.