Jack Torrence Kennemer

Jack Torrence Kennemer was called to Heaven on September 15, 2016. We, John Troy "J.T." Kennemer, and Jodie Torrence Kennemer, his parents, survive him. Jack is also survived by his beloved grandparents, Popsy and MeMaw Kennemer (Brooks and Charlotte); Pappy and LoLo Torrence (Bobby "Bud" and Loretta); Uncle Luke, Aunt Paige, and Cousin Calvin Kennemer; Aunt "E," Erin Deiss; Uncle Yoshiharu Kobayashi; and a host of extended family, close friends, and wonderful caregivers. Jack was greeted at the Pearly Gates by his paternal and maternal great-grandparents, Brooksie and Albert Kennemer; Mary Kate Olds and Troy Olds; and Bobby and Eileen Torrence. Jack began his life as a gift from God and an answer to our prayers. We struggled with infertility and were given a three percent chance of conception with the medications and procedures used by the specialists. Against the odds, we learned that we were pregnant and we knew God had provided us with the best Christmas present of our lives. It was a blessing to us for Jodie to be able to carry Jack, and to bring our miraculous boy into the world on August 7, 2015, exactly three weeks before he was "due." We will forever be grateful for those extra days we were allowed to hold Jack in our arms. From the moment he was born, Jack's personality far exceeded his age. He has always had this innate ability to win over a room full of adults, and children alike, with his mischievous eyes and infectious smile. On Jack's first birthday, we posted the following message to our precious baby on Facebook: A year in, we get it. You do things on your own schedule, not ours. In the last year, we've also learned that spit-up happens, pooplosions are a real thing, blueberries can solve almost any problem, baby laughter really is contagious, and that raising you will continue to be the most difficult, yet most rewarding job we've ever earned. Your Dad and I love you to the moon and back and are so excited to watch you grow into the amazing person you are destined to become. Unfortunately for us, we've learned that Heaven needed Jack far sooner than we ever expected and that saying "see you later" is much more difficult than anything we can imagine, but we are certain Jack is safe in God's loving hands. He will forever be our perfect little angel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jack Kennemer Memorial Fund at BancorpSouth, 2400 North St., Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, or in Houston at BancorpSouth, 1800 St. James Place, 6th Floor, Houston, Texas 77056. Funds will be used for student scholarships, a community playground, and child advocacy and education for the safety of children, including organizations such as KidsandCars.org. Private services were held Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches, Texas. To convey condolences and sign the online register book, please visit www.lairdfh.net. Family is being served by Laird Funeral Home.