BEND – Blaine Benjamin Kendall, 71, of John Day, died Jan. 16 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Mr. Kendall was born Oct. 26, 1943, in Ontario, to Benjamin and Carol (Southard) Kendall. He attended schools in Willow Creek and Vale until 1960 when the family moved to Prairie City. He graduated from Prairie City High School in 1962.

In 1965, he married Virginia “Ginger” Johns. He worked as a log truck driver in the Pilot Rock and John Day areas.

In 1970, the couple moved to Cordova, Alaska, where they had two children, and where Blaine pursued a career in commercial fishing. The family moved back to John Day in 1977, but continued to fish in Alaska every summer for many years. After that, he owned log and lumber trucks until his retirement.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer, and trap shooter. He especially loved camping with his family.

Survivors include his wife Virginia (Johns) Kendall of John Day; daughter Wendy (Rich) Hague of Cheney, Wash.; son Dustin (LaKisha Clark) Kendall of Portland; brother Thomas (Judy) Kendall of Spokane Valley, Wash.; sisters Donna (Reed) Nielsen of Rexburg, Idaho, Elaine (Gary) Fergen of Palmer, Alaska, and Linda (Wilfried) Stoppa of Lauterburg, Germany; two granddaughters; and 20 nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grant County junior golf program or a charity of one’s choice through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day, OR 97845.