Howard V. Kennedy's Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Howard Kennedy!
January 8, 2024. 11am
First United Methodist Church, Richardson
In Memoriam: Howard Kennedy
Howard Kennedy was born in Palestine, Texas August 16, 1933, and passed away due to pancreatic cancer January 1, 2024.
He grew up in East Texas with his 3 brothers Jack, John, & Bill and his parents T.A & Marie Kennedy. He played in the marching band and graduated as Valedictorian.
Howard received a BA in Math and Physics from North Texas University in 1955 though initially he majored in Music Education. In fact, Howard met his beloved Pat Adams in a music practice room in 1951. They married in 1955, and together, they raised three children, two sons, Robert (Stella) and Randall (Mary Gayle), and a daughter, Laura (Brian Boyle). Tragically, Pat succumbed to liver cancer in November 2005.
Howard earned a Master’s in Physics at the University of Illinois, Urbana. In July 1958, he began what would be a 37-year career with Texas Instruments in Dallas, TX. His work focused on optical design for infrared sights. He attended UNT part-time and earned his Physics Ph.D. in 1976 and was made a TI Fellow of the Technical Staff.
Throughout his life, he remained involved in music. For 50 years he played the trumpet in the Richardson Community Band and sang in the Chancel Choir at FUMCR. He played in Frohsinn Kapelle German Band, a Swing band, and an Early Brass ensemble. He sang in the Plano Civic Chorus, and it was while singing in the Dallas Symphony Chorus that he met his second wife, Mary Williams. They married in 2020 and moved to Highland Springs Senior Living.
Howard was an active member of many organizations including the Masons, the Boy Scouts, Senior Source, Meals on Wheels, and Network of Community Ministries among others. His leadership in the First Richardson Helpers group was an example of his life-long commitment to helping others..
Howard Kennedy's legacy lives on through his 6 grandchildren - Matthew Kennedy, Erin Mount (Billy), Heather Ammann (Eric), Caitlin Borden (Matt), Megan Boyle (Nicholas), Patrick Kennedy (Colette) and his 5 great grandchildren - Tenley Mount (7), Harper Ammann (5), Isla Kennedy (3) Eliza Ammann, (2), and Lorelei Kennedy (1). He is survived by his wife Mary, and his brothers Jack and Bill Kennedy.
Howard will be remembered for his faith, his many achievements, his music, and the impact he made in the lives of those around him. He leaves behind a lasting imprint on the fields of physics, music, and community service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:
FUMCR http://www.firstrichardsonhelpers.org/how-can-you-help.html
First Richardson Helpers https://www.fumcr.com/main_giving
Parkinson Voice Project https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/
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