Samuel (Sam) Anthony Kennedy, 73, of Arvilla, ND went to meet his Lord at 5 a.m. Saturday, October 5 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.
He was born June 15, 1951 in McKeesport, PA, the son of Charles and Mickelina Kennedy.
He was proud to have served 24 years in the US Air Force and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was stationed in several bases in the US and overseas in Vietnam, Thailand, Germany and England before being stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base where he retired in July of 1995. A year after his retirement, he started working back at the AF Base in Grand Forks as a civil service position in the Medical Records office of the clinic retiring from that in February 28, 2023.
He was a loyal and active member of Harvest Baptist Church in Larimore, ND. He loved his Lord Jesus Christ and served in several areas of the church. He held devotions at the Good Samaritan Center in Larimore for several years and also held devotions at the Jamestown Correctional Facility every two weeks for many years.
He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. A highlight of his life was when his grandchildren and children would come visit and they could have bonfires in the back yard and play games. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
Sam is survived by his wife, Sharry Danner Cole Kennedy whom he married July 10, 1993; two sons: Dominic (Stephanie) Kennedy, Maple Grove, MN and Adam Kennedy, Hopkins, MN; three stepsons: Jason, Jon, and Joshua Cole of Willow Street, PA; a step-daughter: Lynette (Mike) VanInwegen, Arvilla, ND; three grandchildren, thirteen step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren. Sam is also survived by brothers: Walter (Elaine) Kennedy, Linesville, PA, Russ (LaVern) Kennedy, Austintown, OH, a brother-in-law: Gordon Danner, Larimore, ND, sisters: Nancy Smith, Bel Vernon, PA, Rosalie Wilson, Conneaut Lake, PA, and Alice (Dave) Tachoir, Jefferson Hills, PA, and a sister-in-law: Loretta Kennedy, Elizabeth, PA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Ralph Kennedy and Tom Kennedy and 11 half brothers and sisters.
Funeral arrangements are through Bakke Funeral Home in Larimore, ND and the Funeral service will be held, Saturday, October 12, at 11 a.m. with 10 a.m. viewing at Harvest Baptist Church, 701 E. Front St., In Larimore, ND. Interment will be in the Arvilla Cemetery, Arvilla, ND. Military Honors will be provided by the Grand Forks Air Force Base Honor Team.
Online guestbook: www.bakkefuneralhomes.com