Lance Corporal Kendal Lawler, age 19, of Menard, Texas. Kendal passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California.
Kendal was born on June 15, 2007, in San Angelo, Texas, to Jerry Bunt Lawler and Stacy Colleen (McSherry) Lawler. She was a lifelong resident of Menard, where she grew up surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Kendal graduated from Menard High School in 2025. She was very active throughout her high school years, running track and Cross Country all four years, playing tennis for three years, and proudly being a member of the National Beta Club all four years. From a young age, Kendal dreamed of becoming a United States Marine. After graduating high school, she proudly made that dream a reality when she joined the U.S. Marine Corps. She was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, where she served her country with great pride. Kendal was a very proud Marine, and her family will forever be proud of the commitment, courage, and dedication she gave to the country she loved. Kendal was an all-around country girl with a free spirit and a heart full of adventure. She was her daddy’s girl, and she loved nothing more than hunting and fishing with her dad. At the same time, she was every bit her momma’s girl, enjoying shopping trips and going to rock concerts with her mom. She also treasured the time she spent cooking and baking with her beloved Ma. Kendal had a wonderful sense of humor and a personality that could light up a room. She was known for being a smart alec from time to time, and those who knew and loved her will always remember her quick wit, her laughter, and the unique spirit that made her so wonderfully Kendal. She adored her brother and cherished spending time with her nieces, Gracelynn and Madison. While living in California, she loved the Pacific beaches, enjoyed L.A. weekends, learned to skateboard and developed a fascination with sharks. She also loved her dog, “Mango,” who held a special place in her heart. Kendal touched countless lives during her short time with us. She was deeply loved by her family, cherished by her friends, and will be missed beyond words. Her beautiful spirit, laughter, love, and adventurous heart will remain forever in the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to know her. Though her life was far too short, Kendal lived it with a spirit that was entirely her own. She followed her dream, became a Marine, loved her family fiercely, and left an unforgettable mark on the lives around her. **Once a Marine, always a Marine. “Semper Fi” ** Funeral Services Funeral services for Lance Corporal Kendal Lawler will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Menard. Interment with full military honors will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Menard. Friends may view Kendal’s Memorial Video Tribute and/or sign her online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels. com. Pallbearers will be the U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kaden Lawler, Quince Lawler, Will Barker, Joe Kothmann, Landon Tipton, John Frimml, and Katherine Russell.
Those Left to Cherish Her Memory- Kendal is survived by her loving parents, Jerry Bunt and Stacy Colleen Lawler of Menard; paternal grandfather, Larry Lawler of Menard; maternal grandparents, Frankie and Lupe McSherry of Menard; brother, Kaden Layne Lawler and wife, Ambrianna, of Menard; her very special nieces, Gracelynn and Madison; Uncles Banshee Lawler of Menard, Dray Lawler and wife, Araceli, of Menard; Aunt Calley McSherry-Barker and husband, Will, of Port Aransas; paternal great grandmothers, JoAnn Lawler of Junction, Lena “Mims” Ragsdale of Ballinger; maternal great grandmother Rosa Gonzales of Menard; special cousins, Sarah, Quince, and Landry; and loving great aunts, great uncles, cousins, and friends. Kendal was preceded in death by her beloved grandmother, Cheryl “Ma” Lawler, and Aunt Sterling McKinney.
Kendal’s time on this earth may have been far too short, but the love she gave and the memories she created will last forever.
She will forever be our fearless girl, our daughter, our sister, our granddaughter, our aunt, our niece, our friend, and our proud Marine. Forever 19. Forever loved. Forever our Marine.