BY AINSWORTH MORRIS

Life Tributes writer

morrisa@jamaicaobserver.com

PRINCIPAL of the Bethel College in Clarendon, 27-year-old, Kenrick Orlando Tyndale, who was found died in his motor vehicle in February, was laid to rest during an emotional service of thanksgiving in honour of his life at the Bethel Temple Apostolic Church in May Pen a few weeks ago.

Police report that Tyndale went missing a day before he was found dead. He was last seen leaving his home on Seymour Avenue for an undisclosed location.

His motor vehicle was found with his body inside along a dirt track in Palmetto Pen in the parish on February 25.

The tributes were many and included offerings from Mayor of May Pen Scean Barnswell, Bethel College vice principal Cecile Simms, student Karlene Bailey, Tyndale’s cousin Ann-Marie Brown, his colleagues Jasmine Tyndale and Kemony Watt and Drucella Ranger and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

Barnswell was Tyndale’s close friend and remembered him as an inspirational leader for the youth in his community.

“Kenrick met an untimely death. When you look at what he did in such short time, but there was still room for improvement. I want to thank him for his service. I want to thank him for the contribution he has made to youth development,” Barnswell said.

“The Sunday before his death, he called me and asked for a meeting. I said to him, Kenrick I at a conference now, Monday will not be a good day, let us meet on Tuesday. Then I heard the news that he had passed. What was it that Kenrick had wanted to speak to me about? He never got that chance to exchange those words,” Barnswell added.

Grace McLean, chief education officer of the Ministry of Education worked with Tyndale in the development of Bethel College. In her tribute, she recalled the passion he had for the development and growth of the institution.

“As we can see here, he was not about himself. He was about the Master’s business. He has died and left many unanswered questions, but let’s not worry about them because he has impacted our lives enough. He has left a legacy that is second to none. He has left a legacy for us to build on, irrespective our age, irrespective of our financial standings, he has left a legacy which he expects us to build on,” McLean told mourners.

Tyndale’s close friend Yvonne Campbell remembered him as a man with a vision and a passionate advocate for education and was very proud of his Bethel College students.

According to Campbell, although he was only 27, he was a man with a vision for the students of his school, which was way beyond his years and expanded the programmes of Bethel College from evening institute class offerings, to that of full-time schooling with the addition of a practical nursing programme.

One mourner summed up his life succinctly.

“It is not in the years of life that counts; it is the life in the years that count,” the unidentified mourner said.

Another mourner said Tyndale loved to use the phrase, “Every man has a right to an opinion, but you have a right to ignore it.”

His remains were interred at the Denbigh Cemetery.

Captions

Ranger: Kemony Watt and Drucella Ranger, sixth formers of Bethel College, offering tribute to their late principal, Kenrick Tyndale.

Pall bearers: Members of the cadet unit at Bethel College on Clarendon carry the casket bearing the remains of Kenrick Tyndale to a waiting hearse.

Congregation: a section of the congregation of mourners who turned out at Bethel Temple Apostolic Church in Clarendon for the thanksgiving service.

(Photos: Ainsworth Morris)