Birth date: Sep 9, 1931 Death date: Sep 16, 2009
Jerry Kenneth Kennedy 9/9/31 - 9/16/09 Wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Born in Okemah, OK in 1931 and moved to Tacoma, WA in 1958. He retired as a laborer from local 252. He was preceded in death by Read Obituary
Darla,
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Love you,
Scotti and Terry##imported-begin##Scotti Johnson##imported-end##
Darla ,you said alott of nice things about your father. He will never be forgoten . He touched alott of peoples lifes.I my opinion he was a mans man and very hard working man. I will always remember his smile and things he would say to make you laugh . Carol Dan & I send our condolences.##imported-begin##Ed Gray##imported-end##
reading the words the family members wrote lets me know that he was a good man..Christine did love him just as her own dad.he will be missed.##imported-begin##gordy wise##imported-end##
Hello,
I would like to share a few words to describe what kind of man my dad was. He was born the youngest of 5 children in Okemah, Oklahoma. He moved from Oklahoma to Tacoma, WA in 1958. He married my mother in September of 1950. He and mom almost made it the their 50th wedding anniversary but mom died just a few months prior. They raised 6 kids, which was no easy task. He worked very hard to provide for us. He always was the first in line to volunteer to work weekends and overtime hours, whether it was at Nalley's Fine Foods or as a laborer He never turned work down.
Growing up in our house was full of people and lots of noise Our house was always open to all of our friends and neighbors. My parents use to say they never new how many kids to expect that would come barreling down the stairs in the mornings. He was a great neighbor, always lending a helping hand when needed. He was a soft touch for the elderly and especially people with disabilities Dad pretty much out lived most of his neighbors and friends.
He loved to play practical jokes on us kids, many which we did not find humorous, but those were the times he would laugh the most. He loved going to the corner pub and shoot the breeze with his buddies. To moms dismay he may have over indulged on a few occasions!!!!!!!!
Our father was very old school and was set in his ways. He was outspoken and none to happy with the modern changes in our country.
I would like to share some of our special memories each of us kids have.
Darla's:
All the fun times when I was a teenager. All the late nights of dad playing poker with our neighbors, Uncle Lonnie and Grandpa Bird.
Playing the record player and mom and dad dancing together, then all of us kids and friends would join in. Of course it took dad a few beers before we could get him on the floor. He had two left feet. If Christine were here today she could vouch for that.
The first time he met my husband Chris. His words to him, "Well when Darla told me she was dating a musician, I expected a longhaired hippie. Sit down and have a beer."
Begging to borrow the car so myself, my sister Jerri and our friends could go out for a late burger. When I couldn't talk him into it, I would send Christine in for the final plead!!!!!! He would always fold as soon as she started out with "NOW POPS". He loved her like his own daughter and was so saddened when she passed away just a couple of months ago.
I loved to see the smile on his face when Michele, another adopted daughter, would walk up to the porch with her famous oatmeal cookies. He so looked forward the her visits.
After mom's death 10 years ago, I spend many evenings at the house, just reminiscing about his childhood, or whatever came to mind. I will miss those special moments we shared. And most of all our annual trips to Reno or Vegas and our drives to visit his sister and and family in Moreno Valley.
I now know he is walking again with my mother and is finally at peace, which gives me great comfort.
Jerri:
How special and important I felt when dad made sure I could go to the Puyallup fair. I had cut my foot severely. He carried me in his arms through the entire fairgrounds. Not a complaint one, he wanted his children to have fun and that was something I looked forward to every year.
Ron:
I remember at 12 years old, going hunting with dad, grandpa Bird and Uncle Lonnie up to Mt.St.Helens. I have such fond memories
and felt so special that I was included in so many of their fishing and hunting trips.I loved the times dad and I would go up to the hills and fetch firewood, especially after the wind storms. I admired his coping and perseverance when his health declined and he lost his leg. But most of all, I loved him for just being dad.
Patty:
For myself my father was my hero, even when I was naughty my father stood by me. When I was sick, I can remember dad coming home with 7-up. He would always have time for us. Our nights at the Spout and Toad were so special for all six of us kids. We would stay up at night and play crazy eights. I will always be his l
Darla,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and family during this
trying time.
Love You!
Roberto##imported-begin##Bob Tierney##imported-end##
