Dr. Charles Travis Kendall (STH '57, STH '65)
Dr. Charles Travis Kendall (STH ’57, STH ’65)
Charles Travis Kendall (Travis), of Phoenix, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 25, 2015, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He was 83. He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Janet Kendall; children Nathan (wife Julie), Matthew (wife Lisa), Mary Beth (husband Rob), Benjamin (wife Kim), and Timothy; grandchildren Ariana, Hayley, Lila, Charlotte, Travis, Bryce, Ruby, Katrina, Libbie, Laura and Lindsey (husband Beto); great grandchildren Madison, Savannah, Riley, and Jackson; and siblings Peggy Soulen (husband Dick) and Phillip Kendall (wife Noel). Travis was born, in Boston, to the late Charles and Mary Lou Kendall. He graduated from North Phoenix High in 1950 and from DePauw University in 1954. He studied at the Boston University School of Theology, where he received an STB in 1957 and a doctorate in Theology in 1965. It was in Boston where he met Janet LaTona, a nurse, and they married in June 1959. Travis spent his life serving in the Methodist Church. He was senior pastor at University Church, USC Los Angeles, from 1960 to 1970; Executive Director Southern California Inter-faith from 1970-72, Phoenix (MEPCO) Inner City Coordinator, 1972-1975; Senior Pastor, Federated Community Church, Flagstaff 1975-1987; Senior Pastor, Faith United Methodist Church, Phoenix 1987-1994; and Visiting Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Phoenix 1994-2000. Together, Travis and Janet enjoyed traveling, skiing, hiking (especially in the Grand Canyon), and white water rafting on many rivers in the southwest. Their travels took them to countries around the world, and throughout the US where they would visit their children and grandchildren, and extended family and friends. Travis shared his passion for white water rafting each year leading church youth groups, on a weeklong camp down the San Juan River, Utah and the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He was quite proud each ski season to earn a free lift ticket at the AZ Snowbowl for “being old”. He was easily recognizable around town driving a 1950 Willy’s Jeepster, or finding “treasures” on his morning and evening walks. His wisdom, wit, generosity and devotion will be greatly missed.