Donald Allen Kendall

Donald Allen Kendall left this earth on September 9, 2026 in Asheville, NC, at the age of 81. He was born on November 2, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to Ann Rose Kendall and Larrabee Kendall.

Don graduated from Pontiac Central High School in Michigan in 1962. He was enrolled at Flint Community Junior College in 1963 when his draft number came up. Don opted for the Air Force, did basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, and then was stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, part of a team that regularly flew into Vietnam to repair damaged communications equipment. Upon completing his deployment and returning stateside, he threw himself into his studies with a laser focus, completing his B.B.A. at Western Michigan University in 1969, and his M.B.A. from that school only one year later, in 1970.

Don had a special aptitude for both purchasing and sales, gaining experience at various manufacturing firms. He rose through the ranks of American Motors Corp, then Chrysler, and several Tier 1 automotive suppliers including ZF, culminating with his position as Purchasing Manager for BorgWarner Turbo Systems in Asheville. He excelled at connecting with people, both professionally and personally, and took great pride in mentoring and developing his employees.

From his childhood, Don loved automobiles, particularly the sports cars. A self-described “gearhead”, he could tell you the make, model, year, and even the type of engine in any car passing on the road. Never one to drive a ‘practical’ vehicle, he owned a red Corvette when he left us.

Don was also passionate about football. A loyal fan regardless of the team’s fortunes, he supported the home team wherever he lived: the Lions, the Bengals, and the Panthers. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of teams, games, and players. [Special achievement: He was able to teach his football-clueless wife (me) the intricacies of the game to the point where we could watch a game together and debate the merits of a particular play or referee call.]

An exceptional handyman, Don could repair almost anything. He painted, wallpapered, laid sod, put up a fence, and dabbled in plumbing and electrical work. Nothing disturbed him more than to have to call up a professional to complete a job he had spent hours and even days trying to do himself.

He loved traveling and nature photography. Together we visited Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, India, Nepal, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Costa Rica, and the Galapagos Islands. It was in nature that Don most vividly experienced the divine, the sacred. Some of his fondest memories were of watching a sunset perched on a rocky butte in Death Valley National Park, and snowshoeing in the silence of Sequoia National Park in December.

Don loved to help others. In Detroit, we prepared tax returns for low-income residents with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program every year. In Asheville, we got involved with Friends2Ferals, catching and getting over 1,000 free-roaming cats spayed or neutered. Later, we volunteered with the Asheville Humane Society, working at the shelter, and fostering cats and kittens. He particularly adored the kittens, as seen by the look of pure joy on his face in this photo. Don also served for many years on their Finance Committee.

I can’t think of many other people I’ve known who had such a kind, gentle, open heart as Don. Rather than attracting attention to himself, he invited others to talk, and was genuinely interested in their stories.

Don is survived by his wife of 35 years, Robbie Coleman, his daughter Kim Dopler and granddaughter Brielle Dopler, sister Sue Dixon, nephews Jeremy Lipton and Richie Lipton, brother Dave Kendall, niece Erin Murphy and nephew Matt Kendall.

There will be a private memorial service with his closest friends in Asheville.

To honor Don’s life of compassion, gifts to Asheville Humane Society would be appreciated https://www.ashevillehumane.org).

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.