Elton J. Kendrick

Elton J. Kendrick, age 96, of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away June 13, 2011.

He was born in the family home on June 2, 1915, in Providence, Utah, to Ernest Henry Kendrick and Elsie Naef Kendrick. He was the sixth of nine children. He grew up in Providence and attended schools there through the eighth grade and graduated from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah in 1933. This was a county school made up of students from the southern part of Cache County. The students rode the Utah-Idaho Central Railroad to school each day, a distance of 12 miles. They were given a book of tickets each month to ride the train.

Elton went to work for Covey Garage in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the summers of his junior and senior years, then fulltime upon high school graduation. He lived and worked with his brother Dean. He worked twelve hour shifts for a dollar a day with no days off. Men came in nearly every day offering to work for less. This was motivation enough for not complaining about the long hours.

Elton married Kalma Mae Young on August 12, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Before her death in 2007, they celebrated 71 years of marriage.

Elton and Kalma lived in Salt Lake City where he went to work for General Electric Co. During the war, he called on Army installations. After the war, they moved to Redmond, Washington, where they started an electrical business. Years later, they moved back to Twin Falls, Idaho and purchased the Phillips Petroleum distributorship and Kendrick Oil Co. which they operated in both Twin Falls and Buhl. Elton was a prominent, well-respected area businessman and active in civic affairs, participating in Lions club and Jaycees.

They resided in Buhl, Idaho for many years where they raised their family and made life-long friends. Elton and Kalma owned and operated Kendrick’s Big Chief Drive-In while living in Buhl.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elton served as Bishop of the Buhl 2nd ward, among other responsibilities. Upon retirement, Elton and Kalma served in the Boise LDS Temple for four years.

Elton has a beautiful bass voice and a love of singing throughout his life. He sang in quartets and choirs and especially enjoyed being a member of the Magichords, a barbershop singing group and served at one time as its’ president. Many fond memories were made as they traveled to competitions and performances.

They spent several winters traveling to Arizona with friends and family as well as camping and boating in the Sawtooth Mountains. Throughout the many years, Elton and Kalma worked side-by-side as partners in their businesses and as partners in life.

For nearly 4 years, Elton resided with his son and daughter in-law, Ernie and Kay Kendrick, after the passing of his wife. As much as he missed his sweetheart, he enjoyed being a part of their loving, caring home. The family is grateful for their selfless kindness and love.

Elton is survived by his three children, Kay (Glade) Bean, of Iona, Idaho; Ernest J. (Kay) Kendrick and Marilyn (David) Fiala, both of Twin Falls, Idaho; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and one brother, Ellis Kendrick of Hooper, Utah. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kalma; infant daughter, Deanna; granddaughter, Me’Chelle Kendrick; three brothers, Bert, Dean and Clarence as well as four sisters, Mary, Alta, Grace and Eileen.

Dad was the positive role model that has influenced his family all their lives. We love you, Dad and we will carry an empty place in our hearts.

Funeral services for Elton will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Harrison L.D.S. Stake Center, 667 Harrison Street, Twin Falls with Bishop Greg Schroeder conducting. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. A viewing for family and friends will take place on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at White Mortuary, 136 4th Ave. East, Twin Falls as well as one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Services are under the direction of White Mortuary, “Chapel by the Park”, Twin Falls.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.whitemortuary.com.