Wayne Coburn Kennedy

Wayne C. Kennedy, age 93, of Fort. Myers, Florida, died Sunday morning, March 5, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family. Born November 18, 1923, in Marcus, Iowa, he was the son of the late John M. “Jack” Kennedy and Katherine “Kate” (Johnson) Kennedy.

Kennedy served in the Army Air Corp in World War II and completed 51 missions in a B-24 with the 449th Bomb Group while stationed in southern Italy. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed Fox hunting, water skiing, horseback riding, golf and fishing. He was on the founding Board of Directors of the Animal Health Foundation, an organization devoted to funding research on Laminitis, a degenerative hoof disease in horses. He served as Co-Master of the Bridlespur Hunt Club and later established his own AFHA recognized Meramec Valley Hunt and served as Master.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Mary “Micki” Kuehne Kennedy; along with four children; Dr. Dorothy (Frank) Mang of High Ridge, Missouri, Kathy (Daryl Warttig) Jordan of Ballwin, Missouri, Patricia (Robert) Shaw of High Ridge, Missouri, and Maradith (Jeff) Meyer of Sarasota, Florida; 5 grandchildren, Karey (Douglas) Nix, Kevin Jordan, Mackenzie Meyer, Peyton Meyer, and Tyson Meyer; 2 great-grandchildren; sister in law, Lynne Lea, brothers-in-law, Richard Kuehne of Delray Beach, Fl. and James Fisher of Ballwin, Missouri, and many loving nieces, nephews and relatives. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Merle, Harlen “Dale”, and Lloyd Kennedy and sister- in-law Andrea (Andie) Kuehne Fisher.

Kennedy earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota, and after moving to St. Louis in 1948, earned a Master’s Degree from St. Louis University. He worked for the Mehlville School District as a math, history, and physical education teacher, and later became assistant principal at the junior high school. During this time he spearheaded the construction and establishment of the R-9 Community Center built totally through volunteers.

Kennedy was named the St. Louis County Recreation Supervisor in 1958, and in 1962 became the Director of St. Louis County Parks and Recreation. Kennedy was known nationally for his acquisition of “gift” parks. In his three decades with the parks department he increased the park acreage from just over 1,000 to nearly 13,000 acres. Kennedy oversaw the acquisition and development of numerous parks including the nationally known Laumeier Sculpture, SuSon, Lone Elk, Love, Faust, and the 1734 acre Greensfelder Park. He retired in January of 1991. The 269 acre South County Park was renamed the Wayne C. Kennedy Park, which also houses the Wayne C. Kennedy Recreation Complex, golf course, swimming pool, ice skating rink, and recreation center.

Among his many honors and awards, in 1961 Kennedy received the United States Department of Recreation Award which was presented to him by President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office. The award honored those individuals who had developed outstanding programs promoting recreational activities throughout the United States. Kennedy has also been the recipient of The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Greensfelder Medal, which honors individuals who contribute significantly to Conservation, Botany, and Horticulture. He served as President of the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association and has been named to the Missouri Parks & Recreation Hall of Fame, been recognized as the Outstanding Professional Government employee, and been honored by the National Landscape Architect Association for his work in the preservation of outdoor space.

Memorial services for Wayne C. Kennedy will be held at at a later date in St. Louis and Fort Myers, FL.