Joe Patterson Kennedy

Joe Patterson Kennedy was the son of Monte Earl and Nola Martin Kennedy. He was born March 18, 1932 and passed away April 17, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo. He grew up in Humansville and after graduating from high school he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. When he came home on leave he met Wanda June Gaylor and in February 22, 1953 they were married. They moved to Columbia, Mo, where he attended and graduated from the university there. He also worked while he was there to support his family. They had two children Wenda Jo and Micky Shane. After graduation they came back to Weaubleau where he started his teaching career. From Weaubleau they moved to California where he taught Jr. High for 14 yrs. From California they moved to Alaska where he ran schools for Eskimo kids for 15 yrs. During the summer he went to Oregon where he attended Western Oregon State College to get his master’s degree in education. Some of his Alaskan Students who are now grown and have families, still correspond with him. He was a good teacher and tried to make his classes interesting. He always said, “school should be so much fun kids cry if they can’t go.” After retiring they moved to Nikiski, Alaska where they bought a mobile home park. He had a shop where he built dog sleds and then started making miniature dog sleds for 75 to 80 gift shops for tourists. He lived in Alaska for 25yrs. On April 19, 1996 he and Ruth Breeze Coble were married. They were friends since high school and always kept in contact. He was best man at her first wedding and she was Matron of honor at his first wedding. For a while they spent summers in Alaska and winters at their home in Humansville on property Pat had bought several years ago but had never used. It took a lot of work inside and out. Pat had a 28’ x 52’ wood working shop built. He had it heated and airconditioned, so he could be out there in summer or winter. He loved working with wood and made some really pretty stuff. At one time he was getting orders for hundreds of small cedar boxes for souvenir shops. That’s when Glen and Vana Larcum stepped up and helped him out. He loved that shop and worked out there until his health got to the point he had to give it up. We moved to Springfield last fall as they both had so many doctor’s appointments and most of them were in Springfield and to be close to Ruthies 2 sons. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, his son Shane and sister Susie. He is survived by his wife Ruthie, Daughter Wanda and Husband Matt, grandson Christopher Kennedy and fiancé Sammie a granddaughter Samantha Kennedy and Fiancé Morgan, and 2 great grandsons, 2 step sons Randy Coble, Rick Coble and Wife Patti and their daughter Tara Coble. Ruthie found this last week on a note pad he kept by his chair: When the day arrives that there are no tomorrows for me, I want my family to know and never forget that they were and always will be deeply loved by me. I am at peace and everything is alright. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at the Butler Funeral Home, in Humansville, Missouri.

Joe Patterson Kennedy

March 18, 1932 - April 17, 2018