My Daddy by Susan

George Kendrick 19 years old

1927 McKinley Airport Canton, Ohio

1st Solo flight in Waco-10 airplane with OX5 engine

I have this particular picture in my living room on my piano. It's one of my favorite pictures of him knowing what excitement he was experiencing. He loved the idea of airplanes and lived his life around them.

In 2009 when Grant & I were celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary, we were able to have all of our family, children and grandchildren, with us to celebrate. We all went to Disneyland and some of us were able to spend 6 days there - it was so much fun.

I remember one of our favorite rides, Soarin' Over California that we'd go on over and over again. Standing in line inside the building were lots of pictures and flags honoring the different aircraft companies. Among the flags I could see "Lockheed" on one of them and among the pictures was the SR-71 Blackbird along with a picture of Kelly Johnson.

This really touched my heart to see all these things that my Dad was involved with during his life. What integrity he had to be involved in such important work for our country. Standing there listening to the music they had playing and seeing all these important pictures brought tears to my eyes and made me so proud of my Dad.

There is a plaque I have in my bedroom that reads:

Any man can be a Father

but it takes someone special

to be a DADDY!

103 years ago on this day, April 14th, George Elbert Kendrick was born. I'm proud he is my Daddy! Miss you so much...........

(also he married his sweetheart 77 years ago on this very day)