Richard Leroy Kennedy

Richard Leroy Kennedy was born on December 7th, 1946 in Lexington, Missouri. He was the son of Cecil and Dorothy Kennedy and brother of Patricia Worland. Richard passed away on November 20th, 2018 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri at 71 years of age after battling Alzheimer's.

Growing up he participated in Track and Field and fell in love with Golden Gloves Boxing. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1966. Before graduating he had started working at General Motors Leeds Plant where he was able to retire in the early 1990's.

One of Richard's favorite activities was doing martial arts. He practiced karate and some judo. He was given his Okinawan karate black belt in April of 1980 by Robert Yarnall of St. Louis by the recommendation of his instructor Kathy Hillen. He trained many people over the course of his life. He loved the discipline the martial arts gave him and teaching self-defense to others. Out of respect for his proficiency and dedication he was posthumously promoted to 5th degree black belt with the teaching title of Renshi by the Zensekai Karate Kobudo Rengokai.

Richard took pride in doing the very best he could in life in everything he undertook. He loved working with his hands regardless of what he was working on. If he didn't know how to do something he jumped in and started learning as he went. He did many things including autobody work, stained glass, upholstery and everything around the home. He loved rocks and learned stone masonry to redo the exterior of the family home.

Richard always had an inner glow that permeated those around him He seemed to be an old soul and knew what he wanted in life. One of those things was his wife, Nancy L. Kennedy who he married on July 31, 1967. Together they had a daughter, Sherrie L. Collins, and a child who didn't survive childbirth.

Richard was the rock of the family, always standing beside his wife and trying to make things nice for her and his daughter, Sherrie. When his grandson Stephan M. Collins was born Richard acted as his primary male role model until his own untimely death.

Richard will be dearly missed by his remaining family members and many others whose lives he touched. The family would like to thank each and every staff member of Kansas City Hospice House for the care he received. We ask that any donations be given to this fine organization to help continue their work.