Ivan had a long and beautiful life of 92 years, filled with great experiences with many friends, and was surrounded by his family. He is survived by Elizabeth, Gary, Steve, Molly, Allen Miles, Robert, Elsie, Salyna, Sydni, Davis, Andrew, Lincoln Amelleah, Stefanie and Melody.
Ivan grew up in Illinois and was the second son to Bertha and Willis Kennedy; his older brother Junior joined the Navy to fight in World War II, Ivan wasn’t far behind him and joined the Navy also. Ivan’s tour of duty in the Navy was in the Philippines after the war ended Ivan settled in San Diego where he married his wife Bettie; they were married for over 50 beautiful loving years. Bettie and Ivan had 3 children Elizabeth, Gary and Steven.
Ivan moved his family to Spring Valley where he has lived in the same house for the last 60 years. Ivan had many friends in Spring Valley but especially enjoyed fishing, playing cards and playing cribbage with Harry Armstrong. Ivan was big into the senior center in Spring Valley, where he became the treasurer and spent a good part of his life; he loved to play “Kings in the Corner” with all of his senior center friends. Ivan was always known as “Dad” to everyone, even to people that wasn’t in the immediate family, except for a few close friends and relatives they called him “Bub”.
Ivan went to work for Thrifty Drug Store where he became a manager of many stores and worked there for more than 34 years. At Thrifty’s Dad met one of his best buddies, Mr. Tuggey, they loved to play golf, bet on the horses and make a annual trip to Las Vegas, he also loved to play the slots, it was a fun time by all, especially his son Steve that lives in Vegas.
Ivan helped raise both of his grandsons Allen and Miles from a very young age and was like a Dad to both of them. Dad loved life, he supported everyone in their own ventures, may it be fishing, golfing, Boy Scout’s or playing catch with Gary (Dad had a pretty good fast ball), he loved going to watch his grandson’s play sports with Harry, he was always there to root for you.
One of Ivan’s passions was that he loved Halloween he used to dress up in costumes and scare all the older kids that came to his house, he had the best house on the block, everybody always loved his displays and he gave away good candy too.
Ivan made several trips back to Virginia to visit his brother Junior and his wife Mary and catch up with the rest of the Kennedy family. There was one vacation he seemed to enjoy very much; Dad went on a family trip to Newcastle Wyoming where his grandson Miles and his family lived. Dad loved being around all his grand children, playing and beating us all in horseshoes, the most important thing that came out of this trip was the infamous words the Molly’s son Robert said to make everyone smile for a picture “Molly Sucks” this made everyone laugh and smile and this saying is still used today when we take a picture.
One of Ivan’s favorite trips that he cherished the most was with Honor Flight of San Diego, where he and Gary and other World War II vets got to go visit the World War II Monument back in Washington DC. Everyone should experience that if they can its beautiful. Ask to see Dad’s scrap book that Liz and Molly spent hours putting together for him it’s great.
Ivan’s daughter Elizabeth “Liz” moved back in with him after our Mom Bettie passed in 2001, Liz was the main caregiver for Dad for the last years of his life, she took unbelievable care of him, you couldn’t ask for a better person to take care of you, she has a big heart and is a very giving persons and is known for her love of animals.
Ivan has accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and will live in peace in Heaven
Mathew 7; Verse 7 & 8
Ask and it will be given to you: seek and you will find: knock and the door will be open for you. For everyone who asks receives: he who seeks will fine; and to him that knocks, the door will be opened. Amen
Ivan loved Honor Flight of San Diego, in Lieu of flowers please make a donation in the Memory of Ivan Kennedy to Honor Flight of San Diego, you can donate from their web site; WWW.HONORFLIGHTSANDIEGO.ORG
ANCHORS AWEIGH!!
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