Joe Kennedy

 

Joe Kennedy
Joe Kennedy

Joe Kennedy, 84, of Amarillo, TX passed away on November 6, 2022.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M., Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Graveside services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Levelland Cemetery in Levelland, TX. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, Amarillo.

Joe was born in Levelland, TX on February 16, 1938, to Billie Jo and Mermon Kennedy. He married Joan Huff in Levelland, TX on April 14, 1956.

Joe graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree from West Texas State University.  He made a living and paid for his education by shoeing and training horses.  In 1977, Joe changed careers and was employed by the First National Bank of Amarillo, where he became the Vice President Trust Officer for the farm and ranch division.

Joe was most proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with them during family cookouts, where he especially liked to grill and churn homemade ice cream.  He was also a fan of fishing, and upon many of his trips would enjoy a fish fry with his family and friends.

He really enjoyed the Cowboy Church, where he would take his chuck wagon to cookouts, and often make his specialty of Dutch oven peach cobbler.

He had a great love for animals, especially horses.  He was a member of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and an avid fan of sports including rodeos and football.  He always fondly remembered his High School football years at Levelland, where he was known for returning kickoffs and punts for a touchdown in every game.

Joe had a passion for flying airplanes and had successfully built and flew two experimental aircrafts.  He would reminisce about how his father also flew airplanes, and how he felt close to his dad while he flew.

Another of his passions was his farm and ranch work.  He was always building things, such as the great room in his house with a big fireplace, or many of his barn structures.  It was hard not to find him at home on his tractor as he plowed the field, or lovingly tended to his vegetable garden, from which the produce found its way to the family meals, known as “Farm Dinners.”

He was a member of Pleasant Valley Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Bob Kennedy, and Jimmy Kennedy.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Kennedy, of the home; son, Ron Kennedy and wife Linda, of Amarillo, TX; and grandchildren, Laine Linch and husband Cole, of Amarillo, TX, and Kaylin Kennedy, of Amarillo, TX.

10 Replies to “Joe Kennedy”

  1. Joan, prayers for you, Ronnie and family…..Joe was such a special cousin and I have so many memories of him especially when we grew up many years ago. I always loved the occasional phone calls and when I answered he’d say, “High, Cuz! It’s your favorite Cuz, Joe!” We are all going to miss such a remarkable guy.
    Love you.

  2. Prayers for you Joan and Ronnie and his family. I have such fond memories of Joe’s visits to Mom (Gertrude) and Dad’s(CC Light). Whether he had come to shoe a horse , just visit, or bring garden vegetables, he was always a welcome sight. Joe was a very very sweet and special friend to all the family. I bet he and Dad will be sharing some good horse stories.
    Sending prayers and hugs to you, Joan, and Ronnie.

  3. Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are when Mom & I went and stayed on the weekends. Joe would be working on the project he had going at the time and cooking Pancakes with Joan. He was an amazing man with an amazing family. I feel blessed to have known him. Sending lots of Love!!

  4. Joan, Ron & family – prayers for you. May your memory bank of loving times comfort you.

    Joe was always full of stories and bits of wisdom. He used to invite me to go help him count livestock but said you have to count all the legs and divide by 4! Anywhere he went in the Texas Panhandle (and I’m sure further than that), he knew somebody. If you didn’t get the chance to meet and know Joe Kennedy, I’m sorry! You missed out on a good one! Rest in Peace Joe

    1. Dena,
      When I was 3 or 4 years old, I would go help Dad count cattle, as he was driving to the pasture outside of town, I would warm up my counting skills by count out loud for him. I was a little young for division math but I could count to 100 at that age. Your story touched my heart and brought back a wonderful memory.
      Thanks Ronnie

  5. Joe Kennedy was one of the best friends a person could have, thank you Lord for letting him be one of mine. He and Joan took me under their wings several times to help me through some rough patches in my life, thank you Lord!

  6. A very dear friend and neighbor that was a valuable asset to my life. He was one of a kind and will be deeply missed. A person of many talents and gifts. Joe, Joan and Ron became family to me and are deeply loved. Joan and Ron I am with you in spirit during this time. You are loved.

  7. Joan
    Gary and I are so sorry for your loss. He was a sweet man and we loved listening to his stories on Sunday morning. He will certainly be missed.
    Love you,
    Gary and Marilyn Grimes

  8. Prayers for you all. Joe was a good man! I will always remember him greeting me with “top of the morning to you” in the trust department of FNB. I enjoyed working with him!

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