---
title: SR 35. Kendrick Jr., James Leroy; condolences
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sr35
cite_as: SR 35, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr35
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr35.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr35/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69488
date: 2025-01-27
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr34.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr36.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 94
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr35.md?full=1
bill_number: SR 35
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-01-27
last_action: Senate Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Harold Jones
  - Nan Orrock
  - Elena Parent
  - Jason Esteves
  - Kim Jackson
  - Freddie Sims
  - Josh McLaurin
  - Donzella James
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR35/2025
upstream_id: 1929238
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - Senate resolution
  - condolences
  - Augusta community leaders
  - legislative honors
---

# SR 35. Kendrick Jr., James Leroy; condolences

## Text

Senate Resolution 35
By: Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Orrock of the 36th, Parent of the 44th, Esteves of the 35th,
Jackson of the 41st and others
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of James Leroy Kendrick Jr.; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, James Leroy Kendrick Jr. was born on November 13, 1942, in Jewell, Georgia,
to James Leroy Kendrick Sr. and Velma Ingram Kendrick Lee, embodying the values of hard
work, integrity, and community service instilled during his upbringing; and
WHEREAS, his natural leadership, evident even in his early years on the family farm,
became a defining characteristic of his life, guiding him in his many roles as a devoted
husband, father, businessman, and community leader; and
WHEREAS, James Kendrick's 58 year-long marriage to his beloved wife, Mildred Nipper
Kendrick, formed the bedrock of his life, providing him with unwavering support and
partnership in both personal and professional endeavors, reflecting a love story that inspired
all who knew them; and
WHEREAS, his faith in God was the cornerstone of his life, first nurtured at Trinity CME
Church in Jewell, Georgia, and later exemplified through over 50 years of service and
leadership at Williams Memorial CME Church in Augusta; and
WHEREAS, James Kendrick arrived in Augusta in 1963 with a heart committed to uplifting
others; offering mentorship, inspiration, and guidance to countless individuals in his
community; and nurturing future leaders as well as empowering them to achieve their
dreams; and
WHEREAS, as President of Augusta Blueprint & Microfilm Inc. and founder of Creative
Colors Inc., James Kendrick built businesses that were not only successful enterprises but
also vehicles for community empowerment, earning him respect and admiration as "Mr. K"
among employees and peers; and
WHEREAS, his entrepreneurial achievements included national recognition when Augusta
Blueprint & Microfilm Inc. was named "Minority Retail Business of the Year" in 1984 and
the White House and Creative Colors Inc. became a pioneering vendor for the Georgia
Lottery; and
WHEREAS, James Kendrick's commitment to community service was unparalleled, as
evidenced by his leadership roles on numerous boards and organizations, including Chair of
the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the CSRA Business League, and
member of the Governor's Task Force on Welfare Reform; and
WHEREAS, his advocacy for families, small businesses, and communities extended through
his service with the Richmond County Department of Family and Children Services, Augusta
Jaycees, and other civic organizations where his vision and compassion transformed lives;
and
WHEREAS, James Kendrick's extraordinary legacy of leadership, service, and mentorship
was not confined to his professional achievements but lived on in the countless lives he
touched and the seeds of hope and opportunity he planted; and
WHEREAS, he leaves behind a loving and devoted family, including his wife, Mildred
Nipper Kendrick; his children, Chandra Kendrick, Audrey Kendrick, Steven B. Kendrick
(Pamela), and Kelli L. Kendrick; his sister, Stella L. Kendrick; and his granddaughters,
Kiwah Kendrick, Alexandria Kendrick, and Leigha Kendrick, all of whom carry forward his
spirit of love and service; and
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia recognizes that James Leroy Kendrick Jr. was a shining
example of faith, leadership, and community dedication whose remarkable life and enduring
legacy serve as an inspiration to all.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
honor and celebrate the life of James Leroy Kendrick Jr., commend his lifelong commitment
to faith, family, and community, and express their deepest condolences to his family and
friends.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of
James Leroy Kendrick Jr.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Senate resolution honors the late James Leroy Kendrick Jr. of Augusta, recognizing his business career and community service, and offers condolences to his family.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution is a formal statement from the Georgia Senate honoring the life of James Leroy Kendrick Jr., a longtime Augusta businessman and community leader who died. It recounts his upbringing in Jewell, Georgia, his 58-year marriage to Mildred Nipper Kendrick, his faith and church leadership, and his business achievements, including founding Augusta Blueprint & Microfilm Inc. and Creative Colors Inc.
The resolution also lists his civic leadership roles, such as chairing the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and serving on the Governor's Task Force on Welfare Reform. It formally resolves that the Senate honors his life and commends his commitment to faith, family, and community, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to his family. It does not change any Georgia law.

### What it does

- Formally honors and celebrates the life of James Leroy Kendrick Jr. on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
- Commends his lifelong commitment to faith, family, and community as described in the resolution's text.
- Expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and friends.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to his family.

### Who it affects

This resolution directly affects the family of James Leroy Kendrick Jr., including his wife, children, sister, and granddaughters, who will receive a copy of the resolution. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who must prepare and distribute the document.

### Why it matters

While the resolution creates no legal obligations or funding, it gives official state recognition to a private citizen's life and community contributions in Augusta, and provides his family with a formal, lasting record of that recognition from the Georgia Senate.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses recount Kendrick's biography, business career, church leadership, and civic involvement in Augusta.
- The resolving clause has the Senate honor his life and commend his commitment to faith, family, and community.
- A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available to his family.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-01-27)
- Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-01-27)
- Sponsors: Harold Jones, Nan Orrock, Elena Parent, Jason Esteves, Kim Jackson, Freddie Sims, Josh McLaurin, Donzella James
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69488

> The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr35.md?full=1