Charles Kendall Obituary

Dr. Charles Bye Kendall III, D.D.S

August 18, 1943 - November 8, 2023

Fort Worth, Texas - On November 8, 2023, Charles peacefully passed away at home in the loving care of his family, dedicated caregivers and Community Hospice.

Though born in Houston on August 18, 1943 to Dr. Charles Bye Kendall, Jr. and Vera Luce Kendall, Charles was raised in Fort Worth where he married, grew his family and established his dental practice. As an only child, his extended relatives were important in forming his sense of family with many fond memories of aunts, uncles and first cousins at his Grandma Luce's home, vacations, reunions and holidays.

As for education, Charles attended South Hi Mount, Monnig, Arlington Heights, TCU and the University of Texas Dental School, each contributing so much to his life. In the 3rd grade, he met Elizabeth "Libits" Potter Kendall, who he would date at Arlington Heights and TCU and marry in 1967, beginning a union that thrived for 56 years. It was at Arlington Heights, where he was an athletic trainer, that he developed life-long friendships. Graduating from TCU in 1965 with a BA degree, a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Charles loved being a proud Horned Frog fan, even purchasing a home only "a few doors down" from Amon G. Carter Stadium.

Following in the shoes of his father, Charles built a dental practice over 44 years with his beloved patients and dental assistants who became an extended family, providing joy and a captive audience to him when he started learning and performing magic. He was elected President of the Fort Worth Dental Society, a role previously held by his father, and also proudly served for a time as a dentist in the USAF Reserves and for TCU Athletics.

Charles never met a stranger, often engaging in "unnecessary chatting," as his family would refer to it, with almost anyone he encountered. His gregarious nature led to his passioned involvement with his treasured friends at University Christian Church, where he was an Elder, the Carpenters of UCC, TCU sports including the "205ers" of TCU Baseball, multitudes of lunch groups, partners and opponents in pickleball and cribbage, and literally anyone he happened across while behind the wheel of his purple Horned Frog golf cart. He is remembered by them for being fiercely loyal, principled, and possessive of a fun-loving spirit.

Charles did have one other love in his life; Red River, New Mexico. In the Sangre de Cristo mountains at almost 9,600 feet in the shadow of Wheeler Peak, Charles was in his "happy place," spending time there, looking for an adventure, driving his 1940s era Willys Jeep, puttering around his log cabin, feeding the birds, and just relishing time with his dear Red River friends. It was a love affair that would last his entire life.

To Charles, however, family was first. He was deeply in love with Libits and her extended family who embraced him wholeheartedly. His "favorite role" was being a father to his children, Mark and Meg…only supplanted by his "most favorite role" of being a grandfather (aka Grandbear) to his grandchildren, Kendall, Sarah, Marshall and Lindsay. Charles was heavily involved in the life of his kids and grandkids, fully embracing all aspects of their lives and creating with Libits a home full of love, laughter and support.

Charles was preceded in death by his loving parents.

Charles is survived by his wife, Libits, his children and their spouses, Mark and Jennifer Kendall and Meg and Gregg Lehman, his adored grandchildren, Sarah and Lindsay Kendall and Kendall and Marshall Lehman, his extended relatives in the Luce, Kendall and Potter families and two granddogs, Luka and Boone, who especially provided comfort and delight during the final days of his life.

Memorials honoring Charles's life may be made to University Christian Church – The Children's Closet, 2720 S. University Dr., Fort Worth, Texas, 76109, universitychristian.org, Cancer Care Services, 623 S Henderson St, Fort Worth, TX 76104, cancercareservices.org, or The Warm Place, 809 Lipscomb St, Fort Worth, TX 76104, thewarmplace.org.

Charles's family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. Asad Dean for his compassionate care and to Community Hospice and his constant caregivers during the final weeks of his life.

A celebration of the life of Charles will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm at University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Dr., Fort Worth, Texas, 76109.