Gordon R. Kennedy, Chief Warrant Officer, US Army Retired, 85, of Bryan passed away Tuesday March 14, 2017. Family are friends are invited to visitation from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2017 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, 3001 S. College Ave in Bryan. His life will be honored at 10 a.m. Friday, March 17, at Callaway-Jones, with Certified Celebrant Dawn Lee Wakefield officiating. Interment will follow at Rest-Ever Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors. There will be a reception at VFW Post 4692 following the interment.
Gordon was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and grew up in Limestone, NY, attending local schools there. Mr. Kennedy has made his home in Bryan, TX for the past 39 years.
Chief Warrant Officer Kennedy retired from the United States Army after 31 years of service. He had served for 22 years overseas with the Army in Japan, Korea, Poland, Hong Kong, Syria, Finland, Vietnam and Jamaica. He was a veteran of the Chosen Reservoir Campaign in Korea in Nov-Dec 1950. His last duty station was with the Defense Investigative Service as the Agent in-Charge, in Bryan. He was also employed with the US Postal Service for 10 years.
Mr. Kennedy was a Life Member of the VFW Post 4692, serving as an All-American Commander in 1987-88 and 1989-90. He was a Life Member of the Military Order of the Cootie of the US, serving as the Texas Grand Commander in 1997-98. He was also a member of the Elks and American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Kennedy; parents, LeRoy Sr. and Audrey Kennedy; and two brothers, James and LaRoy Jr.
Survivors include his son, Richard and wife Margaret Kennedy of Bryan; daughter, Hollie and husband Gerald Randgaard of Huntsville; brother, Jack and wife Joan Kennedy of Niagara Falls, NY; six grandchildren, Virginia and Leslie Kennedy of Bryan, Crystal and Amanda Randgaard of Willis, and Cody and Wacey Courtney of Huntsville; and five great grandchildren, Clayton, Kyrah, Derek, James and Adalyn.
For those who desire, memorials may be made to the VFW Post 4692, 974 Harvey Mitchell Parkway, Bryan, TX.
I did not personally know Mr.Kennedy, but I know he must have been a good and kind person because of the legacy he leaves behind in the life of his daughter Hollie. Hollie’s kindness, grace, and strength are an inspiration to me, and I know her dad is very proud of her as he looks down from his new home in Heaven. I pray that your family will have peace and comfort during this time of sorrow, and that happy memories fill your hearts.
Thank you Anna for such kind words. And yes my father met everything to me and he is now in abetter place.
Richard and Hollie, our thoughts and prayers are with You at this time. We are going to make a memorial to the VFW in lieu of flowers as that is what Your Father would have preferred.
All our Love – Sandy and Tom Schoening
I didn’t know Uncle Gordon very well. I remember the last time i seen him was at dinner at a steak house in Columbus, Oh. with my mother and older brother Gregg both also gone now. We so much looked forward to his Christmas card every year it always gave us a year in review. He spoke so highly of Hollie and Richard and how he loved to travel with them in the RV. I will surely miss him God Speed
Richard and Hollie,
We appreciate being notified of your father’s passing. It is a comfort to know that his suffering is over and his passing was painless. Many years have gone by since we last saw one another, but I still think fondly of the time we shared while stationed in Hong Kong. (The name then was Marge Norris, and my husband was Bill, who is deceased).
My husband Don joins me in extending our heartfelt sympathy and love, Marge Pauly