Career
Jay A. Kendall graduated from North Miami High School. He entered the United States Air Force Academy on June 25, 1974 and was commissioned May 31, 1978. He was a C-141/C-135 pilot and was stationed at the following locations:

• Student Pilot: Columbus, Mississippi
• KC-135 Pilot: Castle, California
• RT/EC/KC-135 Pilot: Grissom AFB, Peru, Indiana
• C-135 Pilot and Chief of Plans: Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
• Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia
• Defense Language Institute, Monterrey, California
• USSOUTHCOM J-3, Quarry Heights, Panama
• Combined Forces Command C-5, Yong San, Korea
• C-141 Pilot/Deployed Commander, McGuire, New Jersey

Family
He married Cindy at the USAD Academy, April 26, 1980. They have two children, Stephanie (born 1982) and Ryan (born 1985). Ryan is an Army medic recently returned from Afghanistan. 

Retirement
After four years at the Academy and 20 plus years involving trips to 75 ountries and all 50 states, he retired August 1st, 1998 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and has been the Miami County Veterans' Service Officer since January 1, 1999. He now enjoys working on his home, sunrises/sets, bike riding, sports, and helping at church.