Parks Allan Kennedy

Parks Allan Kennedy was born to Parks Lyle Kennedy and Edna Era Kennedy (Bodley) on March 18th, 1943 at Marion General Hospital. Parks always had gone by Al partly to avoid confusion with his dad and partly because he said he liked the name Al.

Parks grew up in Marion Ohio where he played trumpet with the Methodist church band. Edna played piano and his father Parks sang in the choir and was a soloist. The whole family were piano players. Parks attended Marion Harding High School where he continued playing trumpet and participated in drum and bugle corps competitions. Besides music Parks began what can only be called his obsession with cars in Marion as well. Parks L. ran a family car care business and Parks spent many hours working with his dad learning everything about cars and how to fix them. Parks has always been able to name the make and model of any car made in the last 100 plus years on sight. Parks bought his first car Henry, a 1931 Model A Ford 2 door sedan while in high school. He shared many fond memories running around Marion with his friend Don Shultz. In addition to music and cars Parks loved working summers on the Kennedy family farm north of Marion. At one point it was over 2000 acres. This was where Parks found his second mechanical love–tractors. Parks always said he could back up three hitched wagons with no issues and always joked why don’t cars or tractors have a second reverse gear.

Upon graduating from high school, Parks enrolled at Ohio State in mechanical engineering in 1961 where at the freshman dance he met his first wife, Judy Kay Kennedy (Kivlin). From the very beginning they were inseparable. In 1962 Parks L. passed which was very hard on Parks. Through this time of reflection and discussions with Edna, Parks changed his major to science education. While attending Ohio State the Vietnam War was starting to escalate and Parks decided to enroll in Army ROTC. He served in artillery but specialized in the Sergeant Missile, one of the first mobile missile batteries. Upon graduation Parks and Judy married and soon set off for Frankfurt, Germany where Parks was posted with a Sergeant unit. In 1967 Parks and Judy had their first child, Michael Allan Kennedy. Parks bought his second Model A in Germany, a 1929 Roadster. As Parks was nearing the end of his mandatory commitment Judy and Parks decided to not sign up for a second term.

Parks accepted a job teaching science at Columbus West High School and Judy and Parks returned to Columbus with toddler Mike and yet to be born Patrick Neil Kennedy. Judy always remarked about how enjoyable the flight home was. Patrick was soon born November 3,1969. Parks and Judy soon were able to purchase 2495 Wickliffe Road in Upper Arlington just three houses from Wickliffe Elementary School which worked out great for Pat and Mike.

In 1979 after attending Boulevard Presbyterian in Grandview for many years the Kennedy family transferred to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Upper Arlington where they were very active in the church up until present day. Parks served on session and spent many years active in the men's club and choir. Parks was also very active in “Pastors for Peace” and routinely helped pack and transport donations to central America and Cuba. On one of the trips Parks actually met Fidel Castro. In addition to church Parks was very active in the Scioto Model A Club and the Singing Buckeyes. In the 80’s Parks also branched out from Model A’s to Oldsmobile 442s. The family worked together to restore several cars. Parks continued his military service in the Ohio National Guard for many years.

After many loving years together Parks and Judy’s relationship ended in 2013 with Judy’s passing after a long struggle with health problems. Parks met Connie Ingram whom he married in 2014. They spent many loving years together, enjoyed walks in the woods, picnics at the river and their church friends at Covenant Presbyterian. While Parks’s fight with Parkinson’s disease continued to decline, Connie was a constant support at his side and likely extended his time with us.

Parks continued his journey on Tuesday, July 16th at 10:25am surrounded by friends and family.

A visitation for Parks will be held Friday, July 26, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221. A memorial service will occur Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Rd, Columbus, OH 43221. A graveside service will occur Monday, July 29, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Marion Cemetery, 620 Delaware Ave, Marion, OH 43302.