Samuel Kennedy

Samuel James Kennedy was born on October 22, 1931 and passed from this life on June 22, 2007. Sam was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Robert and Grace Kennedy. He grew up in Raton, New Mexico and graduated from New Mexico A & M in Los Cruces in 1958. He and his wife Dorothy were married on December 31, 1959 in Portales, New Mexico, and shared 47 years of marriage together. Sam retired with 30 years of government service, working in Portales, New Mexico; Amarillo, Texas; and Salem, Oregon; and ending in Denver, Colorado; where he retired as Chief of Economic Analysis Branch of the Bureau of Reclamation. His job required many travels including Brazil and to China where he was an advisor to the Chinese government in developing the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. Sam and Dorothy raised a family including 2 sons and 2 daughters. They lived 38 years in Denver, Colorado. Sam was a private pilot and enjoyed traveling all over the world. Sam was a member of the Bear Valley Church of Christ for 38 years and served as an elder for the last five. Sam received the greatest joy administering to the members of his congregation providing a lasting influence on them. Sam and Dorothy moved to Tyler 8 months ago where they are members of the West Erwin Church of Christ. Sam served his Lord until the end. Sam was a tall man with broad shoulders that were able to hold the problems and cares of many. Whether family or friends, everyone who knew him knew they had a friend they could rely on. He will leave a large hole in every ones life and be greatly missed. Sam is survived by his wife Dorothy Pate Kennedy, children John and Judy Knox of Oregon; Ruth Knox of Anchorage, Alaska; Rick and Karen Fedell of Whitehouse; Harry and Debbie Hays of Lincoln, Nebraska. 10 grandchildren Jason and Andréa Knox of Boulder, Colorado; Nicole Knox of Anchorage, Alaska; Rosanne Knox of Phoenix, Arizona; Russell Fedell, Cody Fedell, Payton Fedell, Tanner Fedell, and Kenzie Kunzite Fedell all of Whitehouse; Sydney Hays and Charli Hays of Lincoln Nebraska. Sister, Colleen Yates of Clovis, New Mexico. Sam was preceded in death by parents Robert Kennedy and Grace Clute Kennedy. Sisters, Sharon Murphy and Billie June Dines and son, William Knox. Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the Stewart Family Funeral Home with Don Canter and Keith Hodges officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, June 25 from 6-8. Pallbearers are Dr. Aaron Duvall, Greg walker, Russell Fedell, Cody Fedell, Payton Fedell Tanner Fedell. Honorary pallbearers are Jason Knox, Joe Barber, Travis Taylor, Ray Lewis, Bob Panesi, Revis Compton and Robert Walton. Memorials in honor of Samuel James Kennedy may be made to the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, 2707 South Lamar Street Denver, Colorado 80227 For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Samuel Kennedy

October 22, 1931 - June 22, 2007