Melvin, the only son of the late Russell Marvin Kendrick and the late Rose Marie Kouba Kendrick, was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and later a resident of Hornell, New York. He went to meet the Lord on January 12, 2022. Melvin was born on November 14, 1932 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, attended the Baltimore public school systems.
He had received his higher education from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Wake Forest University, with specialized courses at North Carolina State College, and the University of Baltimore. After attending college, he was employed with William M. Maynadier, County Surveyor for Baltimore County, MD, Eugene Dietzgen Company (New York City), Matz Childs and Associates Engineers (Kidde Consultants) (Towson, MD), and finally as a project field engineer with the John F. Feezer, Jr. Company, a bridge construction contractor (Relay, MD), before semi-retirement in 1999. In addition to his civil engineering work, he owned and managed many rental properties in Maryland and New York. He served with great humbleness as a Deacon and lay leader member of the Colonial Baptist Church, Pikesville, MD, and as an Historian and member of the Valley Baptist Church, Lutherville, MD. After moving to Hornell, he later served as moderator of the Board of Deaconsof the United Presbyterian Church in Hornell, NY, and was a “faithful attendee” of the Hillside
Baptist Church, Hornell, NY for many years. Mr. Kendrick and his late wife, Millie, and son David owned a horse training and farm facility and bred horses both in Maryland and in upstate New York for many years.
He was predeceased by his best friend and beloved wife Millie, to whom he was married 49 years, 10 months, and 15 days, and who died in February 2002. Melvin had married the former Mildred Frances Brabham on April 12, 1952 in the Belvedere Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD.
He is survived by a son, David Winfield Kendrick(Laurie) of Hornell, NY; two daughters, Lydia Anne Kendrick Cress (Mark Fedoruk) of Westminster, MD, and Laura Lee Kendrick Leedy of Westminster, MD; three sisters, Phyllis R. Hensley of Florida (Ken), Carolyn L. Kendrick Frantz (Bob) of Ocala, FL, Alice E. Wood (Fred) of Millsboro, DE; five grandchildren, H. Paul Cress of Westminster, MD, Wesley Cress (deceased), Alissa Harington (Bob) of Westminster, MD, Iris “Katelyn” Leedy of Westminster, MD, and Dr. Bethany Leedy of Westminster, MD; four great-grandchildren Austin, Anna (David O’Brien), and Aubrey Harrington, and Ava Cress; and great-great grandchild Addison O’Brien; special friend and companion, Diana Hovorka; as well as many other relatives.