Samuel James Kennedy

Samuel James Kennedy was born on Oct. 22, 1931 and passed from this life on June 22, 2007.

Sam was born in Albuquerque, N.M., to Robert and Grace Kennedy. He grew up in Raton, N.M., and graduated from New Mexico A&M in Las Cruces in 1958. He and his wife Dorothy were married on Dec. 31, 1959, in Portales, N.M., and shared 47 years of marriage together.

Sam retired with 30 years of government service, working in Portales, N.M., Amarillo, Salem, Ore., and ending in Denver, Colo., where he retired as Chief of Economic Analysis Branch of the Bureau of Reclamation.

Sam and Dorothy raised a family including two sons and two daughters. They lived 38 years in Denver, Colo. Sam was a private pilot and enjoyed traveling all over the world. Sam, was a member of the Bear Valley Church of Christ for 38 years and served as an elder for the last five.

Sam is survived by his wife, Dorothy Pate Kennedy; children, John and Judy Knox of Oregon, Ruth Knox of Anchorage, Alaska, Rick and Karen Fedell of Whitehouse, Harry and Debbie Hayes of Lincoln, Neb.; 10 grandchildren, Jason and Andrea Knox of Boulder, Colo., Nicole Knox of Anchorage, Alaska, Rosanne Knox of Phoenix, Ariz., Russell Fedell, Cody Fedell, Payton Fedell, Tanner Fedell and Kenzie Fedell, all of Whitehouse, Sydney Hayes and Charli Hayes of Lincoln, Neb.; and sister, Colleen Yates of Clovis, N.M.

Sam was preceded in death by parents, Robert Kennedy and Grace Clute Kennedy; sisters, Sharon Murphy and Billie June Dines; and son, William Knox.

Funeral services were held June 26 at the Stewart Family Funeral Home with Don Canter and Keith Hodges officiating. Pallbearers were Dr. Aaron Duvall, Greg Walker, Russell Fedell, Cody Fedell, Payton Fedell and Tanner Fedell.

Honorary pallbearers were Jason Knox, Joe Barber, Travis Taylor, Ray Lewis, Bob Panesi, Revis Compton and Robert Walton. Memorials in honor of Samuel James Kennedy may be made to the Bear Valley Bible Institute, 2707 South Lamar St., Denver, Colo. 80227.