May 14, 1953 - February 12, 2017

Maj. Phillip L. “Buddy” Kendall (ret.), age 63, passed away in February 2017 at his home in Irving, TX.

Mr. Kendall is preceded in death by his wife, Becky, and survived by his three sons: Nicholas, Benjamin, and Derik. He is also survived by three brothers; Timon (Miriam) Kendall, Michael (Peggy) Kendall, and Tracy (Kim) of Lithonia, GA; five sisters; Jean (George) Smith, Phyllis (Rickey) Bonds, Angela (Wyatt) Garrett, Cheryl (Wallace) Sconiers, and Margaret (Reginald) Atkins.

Mr. Kendall is a decorated veteran of the Persian Gulf War, highlighting a lengthy career in the Air Force. Born and raised in South Bend, IN, Phillip was the fourth child out of seven brothers and sisters. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO in 1975 before going on to complete undergraduate helicopter training in 1981. It was also during this period that he met and married Becky Melissa Jones on August 11, 1979. Upon finishing helicopter training, he began life as a helicopter pilot in Hampton, VA and as a search and rescue pilot in Keflavik, Iceland.

Soon after, he completed Fixed Wing Transition Training in Del Rio, Texas in 1983. Through this, he began flying the C-130E. This is the plane he piloted for the rest of his military career. After stints in North Carolina and San Antonio (where he managed the Air Force Officers Training School), he went to Rhein-Main Air Base as a C-130E Aircraft Commander/Instructor in 1988. It was here that he flew tactical training missions along the East German border and into West Berlin. It was also during this time that he served in the Persian Gulf War, providing Tactical Airlift Support in the Gulf for Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991. He also provided humanitarian relief to Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq during this time.

After his career in the Air Force, Mr. Kendall moved to Irving, Texas in 1993 where he raised his three sons. He became an inactive reservist and began a long career with Greyhound Bus Lines, working in several capacities. He retired in 2015 from Greyhound as a regional/national logistics manager. He was very proud of both his service in the military, his time at Greyhound and his family.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 11:00 am at Oak View Baptist Church, 1004 S Story Road, Irving, Texas 75060.

Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home  |  February 2017