Wallace Dewey Kendrick

Wallace D. Kendrick was born on September 28, 1923 to Hazel Johnson and Russell Kendrick. He spent his formative years in Cincinnati, Ohio being raised by his mother and grandparents. He became a Catholic as a teenager. Wally, as he was known to his friends made his final journey in this life on July 16, at 3:00 P.M. As he came back from getting his mail, he met the Lord to embark on his most glorious journey yet.

Wally was filled with a wanderlust that took him from Cincinnati, to the Navy, and finally around the world to watch and observe. He was a monk at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky at the time Thomas Merton was popular. His journey finally brought him to the Assumption Abbey where he spent the last forty years of his life living as a Monastic Family Brother.

Wally came to the Assumption Abbey penniless and found a job working in the block plant. He lived in the old monastery building and eventually with the help of the monks and other friends built a small cabin up the road from the Abbey. A fall a few years ago forced him to leave the hermitage and become a hermit in the infirmary at the Abbey. His thirst for knowledge never wavered and he spent most of his time reading and watching nature in silent prayer. Wally had finally found a place to call home.

One of Wally's favorite questions was: Everybody is saying what IT IS but IT is not talking. IT just IS whenever we ARE. All I can do tonight is smile and forget their neat, tired and tidy gods and just go to bed in dumb peace and in Mystery. Godspeed to our beloved friend.

Wally is survived by his niece and nephews, Barbara Keith, William Dunkman and Michael Dunkman, all of Cincinnati. One cousin Richard Van Dy of Simpsonville, Kentucky and his family from Assumption Abbey.

Mass of the Resurrection will be Monday July 19, at 8:30 A.M. with interment to follow in the Assumption Abbey Cemetery, Ava, MO.


Local arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.