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James Kennedy Obituary
Longtime Valley resident Jim Kennedy passed away on March 24, 2011. Mr. Kennedy was born in Galveston, Texas and grew up, as he said, "in the country" of East-Central Texas. A Captain in the Air Force, he received a Purple Heart for extensive injuries he sustained in World War II after the plane he was navigating was hit by shrapnel over France, and walked with a trademark limp, often with one of his many colorful Mexican canes, throughout his adult life. He moved to Phoenix with his bride Janis after the war and established Kennedy Radio & TV Repair. Mr. Kennedy taught electronics to a generation of Camelback High students and night school at Phoenix Union High School, introducing them from the 1960s into the 1980s to the fundamentals of computers, long before such an education was available anywhere else. His interest in electronics began in his childhood, and he published articles on a number of topics from antennas and amplifiers to Boolean algebra used for computer logic. He stayed active in amateur radio throughout his life until recent months, having started in the early 1930s. He started the first ham radio club in Arizona in the late 1940s and had amateur radio friends all over the world, and took his classes on regular visits to see Barry Goldwater's ham rig. After his first wife, Janis, died in 1990, he remarried Andreanna in 2001, who took wonderful care of him for the rest of his life. He is survived by his wife Andreanna Kennedy; brother Bill Kennedy of Uvalde, Texas; half-sister Jacqueline Potter; three adult children, James Kennedy, Jr. of Rockville MD, Kathleen Kennedy of Vail AZ, and Jeffrey Kennedy of Denver CO; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Kennedy had requested that no memorial service be held. His ashes will be scattered in the desert in Southern Arizona. Those who knew him remember him for his sense of humor, his independence, his intellectual integrity, and his profound sense of fairness. Valley residents whose lives were touched by this good and honest man may make donations to the Hospice of the Valley in Chandler. He would have been 90 years old in April.
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Memories and Condolences
for James Kennedy
Sponsored by Jim's kids.
Jim himself at his Field Day rig.
Bruce Fraizer
March 30, 2019
Bruce Fraizer at Jim;s Field Day Rig.
Bruce Fraizer
March 30, 2019
Ham Radio Field Day 1954. Note Jim's Truck.
Bruce Fraizer
March 30, 2019
Bruce Fraizer
March 30, 2019
Jim was a great motivator- always bring out the best from us. We miss him, but have many fond memories of the good times.
Rob Duncan (Trompeter)
Rob Duncan (Trompeter)
September 15, 2018
He was my electronics instructor (Class of '68) and thereby very instrumental in my later life's success. I only wish I had had taken the opportunity to thank him earlier for his generosity of time spent. We could have had a great chat!
Robert Barnard
January 4, 2013
Mr. Kennedy was my electronics instructor at Camelback HS back in the 70's. He is hard to describe, but someone I've tried to emulate. I appreciate so much the example he left.
Mike Pressendo
July 16, 2011
Mr. Kennedy was by far one of my favorite instructors at Camelback HS. Great guy. Great intellect and sense of humor. I remember the stunt he would pul in class by putting a big magnet to his arm so his shrapnel would protrude - way cool for teenagers. He will be missed.
Tracy Stevenson
July 15, 2011
I was in his electronics class my senior year. He was a good and kind man. I had a lot of fun in his class. R.I.P Mr Kennedy, Tracy Stevenson, Camelback H.S. class of 81'
Pamala Allain Woods
July 14, 2011
He was such a great Mentor and a beautiful Man, he had 0 tolerance and a whole lot of patience.he was one of the best teachers at Camelback High School.He will be missed buy many.
Sincerly, Pamala Allain Woods
Michael Armstrong
July 13, 2011
OMG, I just found out and I am so very sorry to have missed it for this long. He was my electronics teacher at Camelback. A great teacher and a great friend to us, as well. He had a profound impact on my life, especially when it came to my chosen profession. He was amazing and in the minds and hearts of his many students, I know he will be missed. Thanks, Mr. Kennedy.... for everything!
April Fisher
April 6, 2011
Dear Kathleen, Andy and families,
What a wonderful person you had in your father, husband and grandfather. He was supportive and kindhearted, soft-spoken but had that quick wit and loved to get you smiling. I have lots of memories of growing up at my "second home" in Phoenix. . .Mr. Kennedy always had us girls giggling at a story. Even this past visit I had with you, Kathleen, he was just the same as I remembered him--warm and witty with that mischievous smile despite his pain and discomfort. And what a legacy of gifted and talented children and grandchildren he has given the world! I know his strength and perseverance will continue to inspire each of you on your journeys. My deepest sympathy to you, Kath, and all the family.
Pat Sharp
April 6, 2011
Mr. Kennedy, and that's how I still think of him, was the steady, competent, quiet dad who you always knew would be there. April, Kathleen, and I would just hang out at their house. We would sing, talk, sing, talk--typical high school girls. Then, Mr. Kennedy would say one of his zingers and we would just crack up. He had incredible timing. Kathleen, you were so fortunate to have such a great dad. I know you will miss him, but what he gave you, that quiet, steady wisdom, will always be with you.
Marvis Gonzalez
April 6, 2011
To Kathleen my very good friend I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing.
When we were young I used to go to Kathleens home and play. Her parents were wonderful to me. Her dad would come check on us but, most the time he watched t.v. and let us have our fun. I remember him as a very kind and gentle man. In fact to be honest I thought of this family as a perfect family just like the ones on "Happy Days" I know pretty silly but, that is how I seen this family. He will be greatly missed by his family this I know. My sympathy to all who knew and loved him.
John Cavness
April 5, 2011
Kathleen,
Thanks for sharing the obituary of your father. He really was a pretty amazing guy. I remember him tapping out Morse code in his radio room. He had quite a sense of rhythm for a man who walked with a cane. I suspect the musical ability that runs in your family comes from him. One day he picked up one of Jim's harmonicas and belted out a beautiful tune. A real sense of rhythm.
No, I don't think of him often, but when I see Dan Rather on TV, it reminds me of him. There is a physical likeness and an educated Texas cadence to the voice. (That rhythm thing again)
I don't know about your belief in an afterlife, but I like to think he is dancing with your mom today.
My sympathies,
John
FRANK FITZGERALD
April 3, 2011
JIM WILL BE MISSED BY US ALL.
FITZGERALD/KENNEDY FAMILY
Bruce Fraizer
April 3, 2011
The Kennedy Family,
Jim was one of the finest I have known. He was a thoughtful and caring person that inspired the best in all who knew him. Jim's call letters, W7MID were well know in radio amateur circles. So long Jim, 73s & 88s to all the Kennedy family.
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