Bobby Joe Kendall

OZARK…Mr. Bobby Joe Kendall (Senior Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, Retired), a resident of Ozark, died late Thursday afternoon, October 1, 2026, at his home. He was 92.

Funeral services, with full military honors, will be held at 12:30 P.M. Friday, October 16, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Charles Goldsmith officiating. The family will receive friends following the funeral. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Bobby Joe Kendall (B.J.) was born June 14, 1934, to Hattie Alma (Monk) and Everett Kellogg Kendall. Bobby was an inquisitive child and a fierce protector of his four brothers. He enjoyed being mischievous and times spent with his cousins, who were more like additional brothers. The lessons and attributes he learned as a child carried him well into his adult life. At seventeen, he joined the U.S. Navy enlisting as a cook and getting his electrical license before retiring as Senior Chief Petty Officer E8. His earliest assignment took him to California where he met and fell deeply in love with Janet Rae Mack. Within three months she became his “beautiful young bride,” and they were soon off to his first overseas assignment, Ishmear, Turkey. They enjoyed their time in Turkey dancing, camping on the beach with friends, photographing and embracing the culture and landscape. On another assignment to Morocco, Africa, they started their family with the addition of Vicky Kendall Simpson and eighteen months later, Shery Kendall Butler. They returned to the states with assignments to Rhode Island and Virginia. Three additional girls were born into their family during those years: Robin Kendall Meeker, Bobie Kendall Salt, and Diana Kendall Lund. Bobby spent many three month stints away at sea. His girls treasure the memory of post cards sent home and special trinkets brought back from other lands. Bobby served twenty years; a highlight was serving on the USS WASP in Gemini Space Recoveries. He retired having served his country well, at peace and during the Korean War, earning various awards for his service. The family cast their anchor in Dothan, Alabama, purchasing a twelve acre plot he called “Homeport.”

After serving his country, Bobby went to college, worked on aircraft at Hayes International, worked for the U.S. Postal Service, became a Master Gardener, an entrepreneur starting KC Berry Farm with his close friend, Larry Chafin. He and Janet became cross country team drivers for Clay Hyder Trucking and worked several years with Kissel Rides and Shows running the cook house, a pizza wagon, and duck pond.

B.J.’s hobbies included: reading, gardening, woodworking, cooking, sewing, knitting, tatting, repairing anything, trying new things. He was a self-professed “Jack of All Trades, Master of none”.

The things he did master were the things that mattered most. He had a strong faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bobby Joe quietly and humbly led and served his family, church, and community. The attributes he developed as a child continued to be honed and lived out with his wife and daughters. He was the priest of his home, protecting his family and guiding them through life’s storms; he worked diligently to provide for the one’s he loved.

His later years saw his health and strength slowly fade, but his sense of humor, manners, care for others, and his mischievous teasing remained strong. A man of value, character, and strength who rose above the fray in faithful service to God, country, and family.

Bobby Joe died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on October 1, 2026. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, all four of his brothers, and two sons-in-law. He is survived by his five daughters, two sons-in law, sixteen grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren.