On January 18, 1931, Thomas Kennedy and Luella (Tiffany) Kennedy gave birth to Gerald Aloysius Kennedy at their family farm just west of Spring Lake in Grand Junction. Gerald was welcomed by his sister Mary Jane and brother Richard, and Vincent a few years later. Gerald (Jerry) passed away September 20, 2024, at 93 years of age at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Jerry started schooling at Hardin No. 7, and then attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in the 7th and 8th grade. He attended Grand Junction High School where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball all four years for the Grand Junction, Bluejays. He also participated in FFA, receiving the prestigious “Iowa Farmer” award.
While in high school, Jerry developed a lifetime love of sports; watching his children play at East Greene for many years and then his grandchildren as well. Jerry was also a dedicated Iowa State Cyclone fan, attending or watching all football and basketball games.
After high school Jerry started working for Wilbur Teagarden Chevrolet and helped his father on the farm. It was about this time that Jerry made a life-changing decision. He loved going to the movies and his favorite actor, John Wayne, starred in the “Sands of Iwo Jima”, which inspired him to become a Marine. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after the United States entered the Korean War. After a shortened bootcamp in San Diego, he was immediately flown to Korea. In 1951, Jerry’s platoon was hit by an offensive attack that killed three-fourths of the platoon. He was injured in the attack and received a Purple Heart for his bravery. Jerry was forever a proud United States Marine and would not talk about the attacks or his experiences in combat until his later years. He stayed in contact with his Marine unit and over the years attended several reunions of George Company.
After the war Jerry returned to Grand Junction and started farming. It was at that time that he met the beautiful “love of his life”, Janice Seeden at the Starline Ballroom in Carroll, where she was a nursing student at St. Anthony’s. That chance meeting turned into a 69-year marriage and eight children, Patricia, Kathleen, Michael, Susan, Teresa, Regina, James, and Sandra. They made their first real home west of Grand Junction where The Hill Golf Course stands today. They lived their the first 20 years of their marriage before building a new home in Grand Junction on Elizabeth Street. In 1990, Jerry and Janice purchased the Loof home down the street, which the couple enjoyed for many years and Jerry took pleasure in maintaining the beautiful, large garden and yard.
Jerry remained very active in the community through the years. He used his love of watching his own children play sports when he coached junior high softball at East Greene. He operated a men’s clothing store in Grand Junction for a few years and volunteered to run bingo for the city for 20 years. Jerry served on the Greene County Hospital Board of Trustees as well.
Jerry was an avid collector. When Neel’s Lumber Company closed, Jerry purchased the building to display his antique collection; the building later became infamously known as, “The Kennedy Museum”. He collected anything and everything from a jail in which Frank James spent the night, several pieces of antique farm equipment, and all kinds of historical pieces from throughout Greene County. He enjoyed walking people from all over the country through the museum and was featured in several Iowa newspapers and magazines for his expansive collection.
Jerry retired from farming in the 1990’s and enjoyed traveling with Janice, including an annual trip for over 25 years to Austin, TX, to escape a few weeks of the winter. Jerry and Janice also enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and visits with family, neighbors, and friends. Most mornings he would wake up at 5 am to drive down Main Street of Grand Junction to make sure everything was fine in town and then drive around the county to check farms.
Preceding Jerry in death was his beloved devoted wife Janice; his parents Thomas and Luella Kennedy; his sister Mary Wells; and his brother Vincent Kennedy.
Jerry is survived by his children Patricia (Bud) Fagen of Grand Junction, Kathleen (Greg) Savits and James (Julie) Kennedy of Ogden, Mike (Michelle) Kennedy of Jefferson, Susan (Randy) McCollom of Ventura, Teresa (Phillip) Lansman of Granbury, TX, Regina (Shawn) Brown of Austin, TX, and Sandra (Jeff) Pedersen of New Rochelle, NY. He is survived by 25 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother, Dick (Janet) Kennedy.
Jerry was a devoted Catholic and a loving husband and father. He never met a stranger, and he never missed an opportunity to help others out. His kind, loving and generous heart will be missed by many. His love and devotion towards his family will be the gift that keeps on giving for generations to come.
And somewhere today, a United States Marine is singing gleefully, “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air, on land, and sea;” and Jerry is smiling down from heaven.
