Colonel Anthony "Bud" Kendrick's Obituary
Colonel Anthony “Bud” Kendrick, 85, passed peacefully August 10th at his home surrounded by family. Bud was born May 25, 1930 in Elizabeth, NJ and graduated from St Patrick’s High School. He was a graduate of the University of Nebraska and later completed post graduate work at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951. During his 25 year Air Force career, he flew over 5500 hours behind the stick of 16 different aircraft, and logged 112 hours in combat. He received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, National Defense Service Medal and the Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf clusters.
He served as radar Intercept Officer during the Cuban Missile Crisis and in 1965 went to South Korea, as Commander of a detachment of F-105 "Thunder Chiefs.” He was later assigned to Moody AFB in Georgia as an Instructor Pilot. He became the Squadron Commander of Fighter Pilot Squadron 3553. During this post he trained future Thunderbird pilots, a future astronaut, and President George W. Bush. When he left his squadron, he was honored with a tribute that read:
All kidding aside, we extend our hand. You’re a fine commander who’s done all he can to support his men, to protect this land. A pleasure to serve under this outstanding man.
In 1972 he returned to Southeast Asia as the Operations Officer of a Special Ops Wing in Thailand. He trained allied pilots in the art of air-combat. He was then promoted to Colonel and was assigned as the Director of Resources for Technical Training at Randolph AFB, Texas.
Bud retired to Florida to begin his second career as a financial advisor with EF Hutton. After 20 years he retired from Solomon Smith Barney as a Second Vice President.
He spent his retirement years doing what he loved most, spending time with his grandchildren and his beloved Golden Retrievers, working on home improvement projects, and traveling to Maine.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Grace B Kendrick, daughter Pam Kendrick and her husband Chris Johnson and grandsons Nicholas and Anthony of Tampa. Daughter Cynthia K Curtis and her husband John and granddaughter Abby of Gainesville. And sister Mary Gilrain of Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 13, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 500 NE 16th Ave, with Fr. Dung Bui as celebrant. Interment will be Friday, August 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida (www.grrmf.org) or Haven Hospice of Gainesville, Fl.
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