Lester Edward Kendall

Lt. Cdr. Lester Edward Kendall, USN, Ret. and honorary one star Brigadier General of the Rhode Island Militia 100 years, of Lakeview Avenue Newport, received his final promotion into God?s Kingdom on Tuesday, September 3, 2002. He passed away quietly in his home surrounded by his family.He was the husband of the late Eva Mae Hartwell Kendall and the late Madelyn Inez Shedd Kendall. Born in North Leominster, MA on March 25, 1902, he was the son of the late Edward Josephus Kendall and the late Fannie Henrietta Nutting Kendall. Mr. Kendall was a career navy man, retiring as a Lt. Commander. He enlisted as a seaman and worked his way up the ranks over the 32 year Navy career. During his service he was aboard the USS Greer, the first US ship fired upon in WWII, by a German Uboat in the Atlantic. After his naval retirement he was active with the Old Old Timers Club, a group of HAM radio operators, call sign W1ABE. He was also a member of the National Assoc. for Amateur Radio, and was a faithful member of the ?Tuesday Morning? group of Emmanuel Church in Newport. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Retired Officers Club. On his 100th birthday he was given an honorary ranking of Brigadier General in the Rhode Island Militia. He is survived by a daughter in law Katherine Kendall of Dallas, TX a son in law Walter James Jestings of Atlanta, GA and seven grandchildren: Glenn Edward Kendall, Guy Douglas Kendall, Gary Ward Kendall, Greer Alan Kendall all of Dallas, TX and Jeffrey James Jestings of Atlanta, GA, Joanna Jean Jestings Phillips of Dallas, TX, and April Lynn Jestings Brown of Atlanta, GA and twelve great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by a son Douglas Edward Kendall and a daughter Sallye Ann Jestings, two brothers Ernest LeRoy Kendall and Berton Kendall, and two sisters Bessie Wheatley and Bernice C. Sweet. His funeral will be held Friday, September 6, 2002, at 11:00 AM in Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn Street, Newport. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Sterling, Mass on Saturday, September 7, 2002. Donations may be made in his children?s memory to American Cancer Society, Rhode Island Chapter, 400 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 or to the Diabetes Foundation Of Rhode Island, 206 Cottage Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.