Vann M. Kennedy

Vann M. Kennedy, South Texas media pioneer, died April 18, 2004, after a brief illness. He was 98. He was formerly President of KZTV and K-SIX Radio in Corpus Christi, and KVTV in Laredo. He also founded KEXX-FM in Corpus Christi. Kennedy was recognized across Texas for his long and distinguished career in broadcasting, journalism, and civic life.Kennedy was born in Haleburg, Alabama May 20, 1905, and grew up in San Marcos, Texas. He attended San Marcos Academy, Texas State University at San Marcos and the University of Texas at Austin. He became a member of the Texas State Bar.Early on, he embarked on a twenty-year career in print journalism. He was Austin Bureau Chief for the International News Service from 1931 to 1942, when he left to serve in World War II. During this early period he also founded the State Observer (now the Texas Observer) and the Texas State House Reporter. He was the Capitol correspondent for several Texas newspapers, including the San Antonio Light, the Houston Chronicle, the Beaumont Enterprise, and the Dallas Times-Herald.During World War II, Kennedy rose to the rank of Colonel in the US Army. His service included tours of duty in the War Department, Northwest Service Command, and the China-Burma-India theatre. After returning from the war, Kennedy and a small group of other veterans founded K-SIX Radio, which went on the air in 1947. KZTV started operations in 1956. All the broadcast properties were sold to Eagle Creek Broadcasting Inc. in 2002.Kennedy was active for much of his career in the Texas Democratic Party, serving as secretary of many state Democratic conventions and secretary of the state Democratic Executive Committee. He was an adviser to several Texas governors. He was a member of numerous civic and community service organizations, including the National Council of the USO, the Texas Historical Society, and the Public Information Committee of the Texas State Bar. In Corpus Christi, he served as president of the Rotary Club, was a director of the Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of several other Coastal Bend organizations. Kennedy was widely acclaimed for his service and leadership in all his spheres of work. The Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB) named him Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year in 1973. In 1986, Mayor Luther Jones proclaimed "Vann M. Kennedy Day in Corpus Christi." Most recently, in 2000, the TAB invited Walter Cronkite to honor him yet again at a formal gala celebrating his life in broadcasting. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Mary Louise Kennedy, who died in December, 2001. He is survived by his daughters Kathleen E. Kennedy of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Laura Frances Waguespack of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by his loving caregivers, including Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Salais, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Araiza, Ms. Shirley Rios, Ms. Lisa Valdez, and Mrs. Velma Jean Garcia.Visitation will be Tuesday, April 20, 5-7 p.m. at Cage-Mills funeral home. Funeral will be 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, April 21, at First United Methodist Church. Burial will take place in San Marcos, Texas on April 22. The family requests donations to Incarnate Word Academy, Corpus Christi Texas, in lieu of flowers.