Albert Biklen Pendleton
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Memorial services for Albert Biklen Pendleton, 90, Lawrence, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Brandon Woods at Alvamar, in the Smith Center, Lawrence. Private inurnment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Pendleton died Thursday, November 20, at Brandon Woods.
He was born November 13, 1924, in Lawrence, son of William Henly and Marie Biklen Pendleton. He attended Lawrence public schools until grade 10 and graduated from high school at Shattuck Military School, Faribault, MN. Mr. Pendleton served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and attended both the University of Kansas and Kansas State University where he earned a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1950.
Mr. Pendleton married Lorita Higginbottom of Winfield, KS, on August 2, 1953, in Lawrence. She survives, of the home. He and his wife became partners in their farming operation and were active together in church. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church.
He was a founding board member for the Farmer’s Cooperative Association and the Wakarusa-Kaw Drainage District. He was a board member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and was active on many church, agricultural and community organizations throughout the years.
The Lawrence Kiwanis Club awarded Mr. Pendleton with the Substantial Citizen Award in 1992 and his family received the Kansas 4-H Family of the Year award in 1982.
Survivors include his brother, William B. Pendleton, Lawrence; three sons and their families, James B. and Barbara, Germantown, TN; John C. and Karen, Lawrence; A. Scott and Cindy, Orlando, FL; eight grandchildren, Jared Pendleton (Erin), Melody Greene (Wyeth), Marissa Benedict (Cade), Liz Grillot (Thomas), Margaret Pendleton, Will Pendleton (Laura), Andrew Pendleton and Jonathan Pendleton; and four great-grandchildren, Jonah Biklen Pendleton, Taylor Dean Pendleton, River James Pendleton and Walker Wyeth Greene. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Pendleton Gilfillan in 2010.
The family suggests a memorial to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Douglas County 4-H Endowment Association or to a charity of their choice, sent in care of Warren McElwain Mortuary.
Uncle Al was a wonderful family man, farmer, military veteran, and friend. Since I first knew him, in 1959, he always seemed to have a smile on his face. He was married to my wonderful Aunt Lorita and had three outstanding boys–Jim, John, and Scott. They are now wonderful men with great families of their own. Fortunately, my husband Mike and I were visiting in Lawrence last week and were able to see Uncle Al and friends and family as we celebrated his 90th birthday. He seemed fine. We were shocked to hear of his passing. But he was a follower of Jesus Christ, so I know I will see him again! 1 Thessalonians 4:13. My condolences to all who mourn.
Cathy and I were blessed to be able to join Uncle Al and Aunt Lorita at a family dinner at Brandon Woods during our recent visit to Lawrence in October. Uncle Al was his customarily jovial self. As I recall, he ordered macaroni and potato chips, which really amused us, but then he was always a smile maker. We will truly miss him. Condolences to his family and many friends.
We are real sorry for the loss of Al! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
I will remember Al Pendleton because of his ready smile–he was one of the first people I ever knew who smiled with his lips and with his eyes. In my mind’s eye, he was one of the tallest men I recall meeting as a child–and someone who always walked tall–and who was so genuine whenever he spoke to me whether about 4H or life outside of Kansas. My thoughts are with Lorita and with all of his sons and their families.
Al Pendleton, was a wonderful brother and I will miss him very much. We both grew up with our older sister Barbara, attended Shattuck Military School in Minnesota, served in the military, farmed together several years in Lawrence, and shared life together for 90 years. For a while we both lived at Brandon Woods. Al was a hard worker, contributed much to the community, and raised a great family. I will miss his presence and his smile.
I’ll miss Uncle Al’s smile, his energy, and his amused outlook on life. It was an honor to know him and a treasured memory to spend time with him on his birthday in Lawrence this month. My deepest condolences to all the family.
I grew up as a friend of Jim and John’s, going to Kaw Valley School across the road from the Pendleton’s Farm. Every day I looked at the silos and marveled at the amount of work Al and his sons accomplished. Al was ever present at the 4-H Fair and a pillar of the Douglas county community, not just the agricultural community. He was a great roll model and so calm, fair and thoughtful in our discussions. He is so missed, not only by his family but by all he touched in Lawrence. My condolences.
Dear Lorita, John, Scott, and family. It saddened me to read about Al’s passing. He was a wonderful man, that done a lot for Douglas county agriculture, extension, 4-H, and his community. I can still picture him driving the old brown ford farm truck to the grain elevator. Seems like just yesterday. Al and Lorita’s faces, were always present at every 4-H and fair activity that I can remember as a child. Something came up this evening, so we are not going to make the visitation. I was looking forward to visiting Scott. So with that god bless all of you, and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John & Karen – While we are so far away our thoughts are with you and all the family. Our love and condolences to you.
Our sympathy Lorita, John, Karen, and family. God’s Peace.
We have lost another member of “The greatest generation”. I worked for Al as a young man and saw nothing but perfect role model as I look back on those days. Tim Gjellstad