Gardner Sleeper Kendrick

Gardner Sleeper Kendrick, 87, went home to be with Jesus May 8, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

Private services will be held, and Gardner will be laid to eternal rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas.

Gardner was born in Waco, where he grew up and graduated from Waco High School. He attended Baylor University, where he met his wife, Karen, and graduated with a degree in economics. He attended Baylor Law School and also joined the Marine Corps, serving three years of active duty and then nearly three decades in the reserves, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He and Karen were married in 1962, and after living in California and Virginia as part of his military service, they settled in San Antonio, where Gardner practiced law and they raised a family. He was an avid fan of the Baylor Bears and the Dallas Cowboys, and he enjoyed spending Saturdays working on his cars. He had an infectious laugh, told wonderful stories, and loved history, especially his family history; he could usually be found in the evenings in his reading chair. He and Karen were longtime members of Trinity Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Marcellus Kendrick, Jr.; and his mother, Lucille Kendrick; his older brothers, James Kendrick III, and Charles Kendrick and their wives Elaine and Mary Ann; and his sister-in-law, Mary Agnes.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Karen; daughter, Becky and her husband, Joey; daughter, Lisa and her husband, Steve; son, Jim and his wife, Cassie; six grandchildren, Caroline and her husband Zach, Sarah and her husband Jackson, Jake, Josh and his wife Paige, James, and Lily; and his great-granddaughter, Abigail; he is also survived by his brother, Jack.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Baptist Church and Vitas Hospice in San Antonio.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on Gardner’s “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.