At an age when most of us would like to “retire,” Scott City’s E. Earl Kendrick is actively involved in his second career. A bout with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998 forced open the door of opportunity for Earl. He has gone from “ridin to writin,” and his fourth book is due to come out in May.

Earl, a native western Kansan, knows what it is like to have the door of opportunity begin to close. Earl was born and raised on the ranch that his maternal grandparents, John E. and Alice M. (Ebersol) Currah, had homesteaded in the late 1880’s. He is the youngest of four children born to A.L. (Roy) and Adah B. (Currah) Kendrick, who also raised two nieces and a nephew, consequently there was always something going on. His playground was a 2300 acre ranch with neighbors who either didn’t know or didn’t care that Kendrick kids rode horses on their land. Horses, there was a pasture full waiting for or defying you to ride them, range cattle, the main source of income, milk cows, goats, hogs, chickens, ect. Everything that a kid could need to get into trouble.

After sixty years of living, which consisted of beginning school in a one room country school, where a saddle horse was the school car for the five mile trip, graduating from high school and from the Porterville (Ca.) Horseshoeing School, farming, ranching, horseshoeing, managing a power transmission store, owning and operating a commercial hay harvesting company and driving big trucks, along with he and his wife being on a mission team on two occasions in Mexico. It came to a sudden stop in February 1998 when the bottom fell out of his life with the attack of M.S. which rendered him disabled, feeling helpless and hopeless.

Over the years he had written some poetry and stored it in a dresser drawer but with the encouragement / insistence of Marilyn, his wife of forty years, who said, “The drawer is full! What are you going to do with them?” he published his first book entitled “The Prairie Sentinel” in February 2001. It has been well received and with the encouragement of many friends, released his second book, a novel entitled, “The Neighborly Thing”. His third book was “As You Go.” His fourth book, “The Kincaid Stones” is the third novel in the trilogy.

Earl hopes that his writings will be an encouragement to others who, because of a chronic illness or some other misfortune, are experiencing a closing of the door of opportunity in their lives. You, too, can force open the door, maybe not by writing but by developing and using some of your talents that have laid dormant and / or unrecognized in your life. Earl says, “Sometimes we must experience the bad before we can appreciate the good.”

Earl chose Essence Publishing Co., a Christian company in Toronto, Canada to publish his books. He adds that they carefully screen their work to be sure it meets their standards.

Earl accepted Christ as his savior when he was a teenager and became an active member of the First Baptist Church in Scott city for many years. Later, after marrying his wife Marilyn, they felt the Lord direct them to Immanuel Southern Baptist Church where they became charter members when it was a small, struggling mission. He was ordained a deacon in 1969 and was licensed to preach. Earl served his church as music director for thirty seven years, until MS became such a problem that he felt he should resign. He and his wife also served the church on two mission trips to Mexico.

All four of his books relate to his ancestry in one way or another.

“The Prairie Sentinel” is a small book of poetry—cowboy, comedy, love, human interest and an excerpt from the novel, “The Neighborly Thing” Earl says it is the perfect size for coffee table, waiting room or gift.

In “The Neighborly Thing,” you will read of the everyday life of rancher Jerry Kincaid and his wife, Vona, who had bought a young red heeler dog for Jerry on his birthday in November. The following spring the dog had shown no desire nor ability to work cattle. Jerry had threatened to shoot him but Vona had intervened saying that he would surely get better as he got older and Jerry had answered, “He may not get much older!” Share in the humor, subtle or boisterous, the drama and the tragedy that is experienced by this young couple as they live their lives in a day by day schedule that is often interrupted by the unknown, the unexpected or the unwanted. Feel the warmth and love that develops and grows, binding the hearts and lives of the Kincaids and the Kenkayds into a family that they have never experienced before. Thrill to the abilities and skills of Rivet, the dog, as he protects Jeny from the dangers of an enraged bull. Experience the viciousness of a winter blizzard on the High Plains which, unless experienced, can be underrated

In “As You Go,” follow the Kincaids back to Ireland in the 1500’s as they discover unknown history and a future that has yet to be revealed. Experience events as the O’Tooles leave Ireland, go to Scotland and then to the New World. Worship with them in Scotland and rejoice with them in their salvation. Enjoy the laughter of people who are trying to survive and marvel at their courage. The name becomes Kincaid through marriage a mystery is discovered. Relish the truth of Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it’s shared as life is lived.

Earl’s new book, “The Kincaid Stones” covers the Kincaid family when they leave Ireland, go to Scotland and after a time to on to Charleston, So. Carolina. Earl’s paternal ancestors were Scot-Irish, and his maternal ancestors came from England. Earl says, “This book could lend itself very well to any immigrants that came to the U.S.A., regardless of origin. It has humor, suspense, tragedy and nature.

You can order the books from Earl’s website, www.kendricktales.com. You may also email him at ekendrick@wbsnet.org or give him a call at 620-872-2065.