Michael Philip Kendrick

Michael Philip Kendrick of Collinsville, passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at the age of 72. Mike was born into an Irish, Roman Catholic family on April 6, 1949 in Tulsa to Clemmer Loraine and Bernice Ann (Mangan) Kendrick. He grew up in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, attending Catholic schools and graduating from Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School in 1967. Mike attended Saint Gregory's College prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1968. The majority of his service was spent in Da Nang, Vietnam with the Marine Air Control Group 18. Mike received an honorable discharge as a Lance Corporal. Upon his return to Oklahoma City, he made his DD form 214 a public record. When discussing his service, Mike always spoke with a humble sense of pride. He loved his country, the constitution, and recognized his time with the United States Marine Corp as his time to protect and serve both. While visiting a fellow Marine in Pittsburg, Kansas, Mike met the love of his life, Michele (Shelly) Ann Harrell. They were married in 1972. Mike earned a teaching degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, with a major in history and a minor in psychology. He was first employed as a history teacher and basketball coach at Saint James Elementary School in Oklahoma City. In 1976, the family moved to Collinsville after Mike was given the opportunity to enter the stainless steel industry. He continued this work in various capacities until his retirement. Mike enjoyed traveling with family and friends, the cool weather and mountains, as well as hunting and fishing. As an adult, he continued his education with various graduate level history classes. He enjoyed genealogy, the Catholic Church, historical and military research, and was truly an avid reader who always considered the source and recognized biases. But what Mike enjoyed most was family. He was a kind and loving husband, who enjoyed being a part of the lives of his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He had an admirable sense of humor and always looked for an opportunity to remind his family members that he was proud of them and loved them. Mike was a good man. He will be greatly missed. Mike is survived by his daughters, Kelly Benham and husband Jon and Monica Armstrong and husband Kyle; his sister Connie Starr; his brother Bob Kendrick; 5 grandchildren, Payton, Eli, Brady, Ella, and Ben; and a host of extended family and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and wife. In lieu of flowers, donations to plant a tree in Mike's honor can be made to the Up With Trees organization at http://upwithtrees.org/donate. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in Mike's honor by family and close friends at Saint Therese Catholic Church in Collinsville on September 29th at 11 a.m.