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In memory of

Benny Joe Kennedy

Cushing, OK, USA

December 28, 1938 - May 3, 2018

Dec 28, 1938 - May 3, 2018

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Benny Joe Kennedy
December 28, 1938 - May 3, 2018

Benny Joe Kennedy, 79, passed away Thursday, May 3, 2018, at his home in Cushing, OK. In hospice care for a week, he died peacefully in his sleep with his devout wife by his side.

Benny was born on the farm near Minneola, KS on December 28, 1938, to Morris and Esther Kennedy. He started school in Bloom, KS then continued his education and graduated from Minneola High School in 1957. Upon graduating, Benny began working at the grain elevator in Minneola. He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, on September 19, 1959. Soon after, he started his career path working for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America which later promoted him to Forman and relocated him and his family to Dumas, TX (1978-1990), and later Atoka, OK (1990-1997). He retired as a Station Manager after 36 years of service and then moved to Cushing, OK (1997-2018).

Benny was known as the flat top, fun-loving guy with the infectious laugh. Although he seemed to be a soft-spoken man, he could always be counted on for a good joke to tell and an honorary story to share. He was a devoted husband, hard-working father who lovingly gave and provided for his family. He was never religious but deeply loved his Lord and Savior. Every morning you could find him spending quiet time in the Word. His favorite scripture verse was, " Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

He obtained his pilot's license in 1967. Along with airplanes and flying, he had a unique passion for motorcycles, tractors, back-hoes and was considered an excellent equipment operator. He loved watching his NASCAR races on Sunday afternoons and had the honor of being on the 1972 Jimmy Harkness Pit Crew for Modified Race Cars National Championship. He had a love and legacy of music which began in his early years. He had a one of a kind tenor voice that rang throughout his junior high and high school days in trios and quartets, which continued through the years with various duets, trios and ensembles, church choirs, worship services, community events and always family gathering singings.

In 1971, he was a part of a special event in flying planes to the Kiamichi Mountains that took food and clothes to the orphanages. He served on the Church Board and as a Decon at the Minneola Christian Church and the Christian Church in Dumas, TX. He was apart of the Evangelism Explosion (EE) team with the Nazarene Church (Dumas, TX), and led worship alongside his wife at New Beginnings Christian Retreat Center (Dumas, TX). He attended Dayspring Church (Atoka, OK) and most recently a member of First Assembly Church in Cushing, OK. Two of his last events were riding down the streets in November 2017 praying for the community and singing in the Cushing First Assembly 2018 Easter program.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon Kennedy; son Mike Kennedy and wife Suzie; daughter Marci Dane and husband Brad; son Joe Kennedy and wife Denice; and daughter Jamie Bollinger and husband Freddy. Also survived by his twenty grandchildren, Jana, Jared, Sarah, Ryan, Emily, Lisa, Lizzy and husband Preston, Justin and wife Adrian, Tristan, Evan, Austin, Allie, Isabella, Jordan and husband Jonny, Hannah, Caden, Carlie, Randy and wife Heather, Brieanne, Tyler and wife Morgan, Garrett and wife Abby; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Donna and daughter in law Julie Kennedy.

Sharon, his wife, spoke the following in one of her last reflective thoughts before his passing, "Makes you wanna go to Heaven just to find out the rest of the story.” Benny will forever be dearly loved and missed by all that knew him.

Visitation will be open to the public 8 am - 8 pm Monday, May 14th at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 800 South Linwood, Cushing, OK. A Celebration of Life service will be Tuesday, May 15th 2:00 pm at Cushing First Assembly, 504 E Walnut, Cushing, OK.

Donations in memory of Benny can be made to Urban Promise. UrbanPromise Wilmington, 2401 Thatcher St; Wilmington DE 19802. Note: “In Memory of Benny Kennedy” in the contribution.

Expression of sympathy can be made through Busy Bee Florist in Cushing, OK.

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