Kendall Ross Birdsall

Kendall Ross Birdsall, 73, of Rogue River, Oregon left his earthly home on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center after a very long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Kendall was born on August 16, 1942 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah to Ernest Ray and Edith Ethelyn (née Wilkinson). He was the third child and second son of eight children. He met his sweetheart at the tender age of 16 ½ in National City, California. Nancy Lee Brown was a 15-year-old beauty that he asked to marry when they'd only been going out for a few months. She thought he was kidding. Four years later, they married in Chula Vista, San Diego County, California. Later, they were sealed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints California Los Angeles Temple for Time and All Eternity. In his life, he had the opportunity to graduate from Sweetwater High School in 1960, worked at the International House of Pancakes as a chef, drove a delivery truck for Perky Pies, tried out to be a police officer, attended college courses, laid carpet and floor coverings for over 25 years, hung commercial wallpaper, and was a stationary engineer at Colombo Bakery for over 18 years before he was forced to retire. After moving back to southern Oregon in 2004, Kendall and his wife, Nancy, purchased the Rogue River Press. Kendall and Nancy are the parents of six children. He was a hard worker, good provider and wonderful father that lived the example he showed his children. He had an ever-strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he would share with anyone. He was a husband, father, friend, and home teacher and always strived to do what his Heavenly Father asked of him. Kendall enjoyed work, period. He loved to tinker in his garage, fix things that others couldn't, read and watch old cowboy movies. He could build just about anything. He loved to fish, go abalone hunting, and horse neck clamming, spending time on the beach and camping. One of THE best memories his kids have is of camping trips to Harris Beach and getting up to a campfire breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and often, burned toast that Dad would slather butter and jelly on. Or the times he would want to take the family on Sunday drives up in the mountains on BLM roads...without a map. He had a big green van that some of those roads were not meant for...width-wise. With no turn around available, Kendall would end up backing down for quite a distance. Of course, many of those drives ended up with the van broken down, but he'd fix it every time. Kendall had tender feelings for animals whether it be tiny kittens or big cows, he was able to build a special bond with most he came in contact with. Over the years, several left this world before him and we are sure they are having a wonderful reunion including Pug, Priscilla, Pinky, Pickle, Maple-Mable, Cheyenne and more. The ones that he loved on this side will miss him: Kiki, Rusty and grand-dog, Sam. Janicca Goodheart, a friend for many years, asked to include the following about Kendall, "He was a wonderful father even for kids who just came over to hang out. He made them all feel loved and important, no matter what was happening in the rest of their lives. His generosity, gentle kindness, and upholding of the priesthood was a wonderful example of what a man should be." Kendall was "grandpa" to those that didn't have one including Anelia, Danielle and Zachery Leschke, who will miss him very much. Another friend said, "He was loved by all whose lives he touched." Kendall is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy; daughter, Nadine (Karl) Roper; daughter, Teresa (Howard) Pearson; son, Leif (Pam) Birdsall; son, Jared (Jennifer) Birdsall; daughter, Kenna (David) Nelson; and daughter, Della Birdsall. He is also survived by grandchildren James Pearson, Jared (Rebeca) Pearson, Braedon Roper, Jaden Pearson, Baylei Roper, Larraine Pearson, Bree Nelson, Moriah Birdsall, Evelyn Birdsall, Kaiya Roper, Natalie Birdsall, Eowyn Nelson, Jack Pearson, Josephine Birdsall, Duncan Nelson, Lorien Nelson, Shannon Birdsall, Rhianna Birdsall, Dain Nelson, Wendy Birdsall, Amy Birdsall, and Oin Nelson. His living siblings include: Delwyn Birdsall, Kathleen (Paul) Conover, Sylvan (Sharon) Birdsall, Juanita (Doug) Van Keulen, Elizabeth (Chris) Hill, Linnette Ross and Alan (Sherri) Birdsall. His parents, E. Ray and Edith Birdsall, precede him in death. A funeral will be held on Thursday, November 12 at 11am at Live Oak Grange, 120 Gardiner Street in Rogue River, Oregon. Kendall's body will be buried at Woodville Cemetery on Wards Creek Road in Rogue River, shortly thereafter.

Service Information

Thursday, November 12th, 2015 11:00am, Live Oak Grange

Interment Details

Woodville Cemetery