Donald Lewis Kennedy

Donald (Don) Lewis Kennedy of Plano, Texas passed on February 24, 2017. Don was born in Great Falls, Montana on April 15, 1930 and was the only child of Howard Lewis Kennedy and Louise Hallickson Kennedy. Don is survived by his two daughters Janna Coleman and Sherri Weltmer; Grandchildren Crystal Hill and Hillary Bradshaw Passino and husband Paul; Great-grandchildren Zackary and Tyler Hill.

Due to the loss of his father at a very early age, Don ultimately went to a Lutheran’s Boy’s School. Not long after his return to Tacoma, Don’s journeys crossed paths with a young man named Tom Knapp. Tom took him home and the Knapp family welcomed Don with open arms and became his adopted family. When Don became of age, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed out of Carswell Air Force base in Fort Worth, Texas. It was here that he met and then married Helen Lucille Campbell and eventually moved to Plano with their daughters. He retired from Rockwell International after 38 years and enjoyed his time traveling with family and friends.

Don had many passions and interests – mostly, anything that involved the outdoors or working in his “shop”. He loved riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, waterskiing and hanging out with the many friends he had made on all of his life’s journeys. His shop was basically his garage where he had projects too numerous to name but included anything from rebuilding classic cars and motorcycles to just helping the neighbor next door change their spark plugs.

Don loved helping others. When the girls were young, he supported them with all of their Girl Scout projects and also gave them their love for outdoor activities. He was a founding member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano and was actively involved with the planning, construction and landscaping of the original building.

Memorial services will be held at Ted Dickey’s Funeral Home East in Plano, TX on Friday, March 3rd at 11:00. Flowers are welcome or a donation to Camp Hope or a charity of your choice.

The family is thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers from everyone near and far and to the medical staff and caregivers that took care of him in his time of need.