June 23, 2024, 84, Goldsboro —
Gerald “Jerry” Fredrick Kendall, 84, died on June 23, 2024, at his home in Goldsboro, N.C., after a long struggle with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. He was born on May 3, 1940, and was preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence Kendall, and by brother and sister-in-law, James and Amanda Kendall. Jerry is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Patricia “Pat” Kendall; four children, Joseph, Lewis, Kyleen, and Mary; children’s spouses, Patricia, Marcy, Justin, and Dave (respectively); and seven grandchildren, Cole, Ashley, Grace, Gavin, Blythe, Evelyn, and Julius Jude.
Jerry was born in Hammonton, N.J., the proclaimed “Blueberry Capital of the World.” It was a sentiment he must have taken to heart because after moving to Mechanicsburg, Pa., and graduating from Cumberland Valley High School in 1959, he married and bought a farm in Lewisberry, Pa., where he and Pat raised row after row of healthy blueberry bushes in addition to other fruits, vegetables, cats, and kids.
He and Pat met through their mutual friends, Vicky and Dave Stein, at the ABC West bowling alley in Mechanicsburg, Pa., where Jerry worked. After a 1-year courtship, they married in 1964.
Jerry enjoyed tinkering with the bowling machines and later would graduate to tinkering with farming machines and tinkering with copiers at his business, Rapid Offset Printing, in Harrisburg, Pa.
Jerry loved the land, growing things, being outside, and fireworks. For nearly 30 years, Jerry and Pat grew some of the best produce in the area, which they sold at their home and business, making many happy memories along the way. They were members of St. Theresa’s Parish in New Cumberland and were frequently spotted leaving quarts of fresh fruit for the clergy that lived there. In 2004, Jerry gave up the printer’s life. Soon after, the couple sold the farm and moved to North Carolina, where they finally paused to grow (and smell) the flowers.
Jerry was both a talented farmer and a successful businessman. Resourceful and determined, he was a hard worker, creative, a bit of a real-life MacGyver, had a goofy sense of humor, and much like Frank Sinatra, he did it “his” way. He was also a generous, humble, and compassionate man who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. All of whom will dearly miss him.
Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home, Goldsboro, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 3HC Hospice of Goldsboro.
A graveside service will be held Aug. 1 at 12:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery in Harrisburg, Pa., with a reception to follow at Our Lady Lourdes Catholic Church in Enola, Pa.
