Lee Kendall, born in Camden, Arkansas, on Feb. 15, 1920, passed away at 98 years old on March 2.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, and his sons, Carey, wife Alix, and Richard, wife Rickie Sue. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Nicole, Kayla, Jeremiah and Hope, and their families, which includes five great-grandchildren.
Lee attended Magnolia A&M University from 1938-40 and then joined the U.S. Army Air Force as an aviation cadet. He was soon recruited as a B-24 instructor pilot.
Later he requested a transfer to fly the P-61 in the 548th Night Fighter Squadron. Lee was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bringing down the last enemy plane in the Pacific Theater with his now infamous plane “Lady in the Dark.”
In 1948 Lee and Eleanor asked the famous architect team of Frank Lloyd Wright and his son Lloyd Wright to design a school, Hill and Dale Nursery Kindergarten School in Pacific Palisades. They owned and operated the school for almost 35 years and made a difference in the lives of hundreds of children, many of who had illustrious and noteworthy parents, especially the Hollywood industry elite. To say these were interesting and productive years would be an understatement.
After retirement, Lee and Eleanor moved from the Palisades to Solvang, California, finally settling in Orcutt, California.
Lee enjoyed playing tennis until he was 94. He was an avid reader and had a ferocious love of learning. He was treasured by all those that loved him.
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