Walter Kennedy

Walter Coffman Kennedy, born April 6, 1925, passed away in the early morning of Monday, January 10, 2011. An inspiration to those who knew him, Walter died just as he lived, with a kind and loving heart, unending patience, determination and hope. Everyone who knew Walter, even those he knew briefly (especially his nurses) were touched by his pleasant smile, positive attitude and kind demeanor.

Walter was born to Marshall and Neva Kennedy eighty-five years ago in Goree, Texas. He was the youngest of three children. His sister, Marsha Fritter preceded him in death in 2002. Walter was especially close to his dear brother, Dennis (Denny).

Walter married Gentry Gallimore on September 3, 1949 at St. John’s Methodist Church. The two were very proud of their son, Walter Steven (Steve) Kennedy, of Lubbock, and were especially proud of their granddaughters, Kristen Holloway and Meghan Kennedy.

After graduation from Roscoe Texas High School, Walter served in the South Pacific during WW II as signalman in the U.S. Navy. After the war, Walter earned a degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech College (1950). He worked for Dowell in Borger, Texas and Guymon, Oklahoma as Junior Service Engineer and was Service Engineer for that company in Seminole and Hominy, Oklahoma, from 1952 until 1953 when he transferred to Snyder, Texas as Sales Engineer. From 1955 until 1961, Walter worked for Paul DeCleva, an independent oil operator in Snyder and Midland, Texas. He supervised and acted as engineer and geologist in the drilling and completion of wells in West, North and Central Texas. In 1962, Walter joined Creslenn Oil in Colorado City, Texas, where he was primarily involved in the development and operation of water-flood projects in West Texas. He transferred to Dallas, Texas in 1979 with Deminex, and resided in Plano until his retirement in 1990. After his retirement, Walter and Gentry moved to Lubbock, Texas.

Walter is survived by his wife, Gentry, his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Melanie Kennedy, his granddaughter and grandson-in-law Kristen and Jimmy Holloway and their sons, Hunter and Tanner, and his granddaughter, Meghan Kennedy, all of Lubbock. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Denny and Jo Kennedy of Georgetown, and his in-laws, JoAnn Roye of Lubbock and Charles and Lorrie Gallimore of Amarillo. Walter’s memory will be cherished by several nieces and nephews.

Walter was a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church. Pastor Don Kinder officiated the funeral service, held at Resthaven Funeral Home’s Abbey Chapel on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Burial was held at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Walter’s legacy will live on through everyone who knew him. His loyalty and quiet strength have touched us all. He will be greatly missed, for he was greatly loved.