Thomas Kennedy

Born on a snowy November 20, 1948, Tom was the son of Thomas and Betty Kennedy. He liked to tell the story that the doctor was late because he was at the "Shoe watching the Buckeyes play, there was a snowstorm and he got stuck in traffic." (No, it was not the year of the "snow bowl.")

Tom was a loving father grandfather and great-grandfather. He and Nancy were married almost 53 years and during that time, he and Nancy became the parents of April and Michael, the grandparents of six, and great-grandparents of three.

Together, he and Nancy built a loving, trusting relationship with each other. He could tease, but also take it when he was being teased.

Tom loved peanut butter-not peanut butter and jelly, just plain peanut butter sandwiches, made his way: one piece of bread with peanut butter and folded over; served with a cup of black coffee, thank you! He was also fond of apple pie, carrot cake and would never turn down a piece of lemon meringue pie. Tom was also a "cookie monster" especially when it came to Nancy's homemade cookies!

Tom's first love was music, and it greatly influenced the rest of his life. He started his "singing career" in a children's choir at an EUB church in the south end of Columbus, and eventually was singing solos. When he got to South High School, Tom played the alto saxophone in the marching and concert bands, dance band and jazz band. And, of course, Tom sang! He was in choir and Men's Glee Club. In addition to instrumental and vocal music, Tom participated in plays and musical productions at the high school, performing the part of "Stew Pot" in South's production of South Pacific. These activities earned him a membership in the National Thespians Club.

After graduation, Tom headed to OSU where he auditioned for and was accepted into the School of Music. If it had not been for a pesky psychology course, we-and Nancy-would not have been blessed by his beautiful voice and gentle spirit.

Tom and Nancy met at Merrill Publishing Company in 1968 and in line with his desire to do things his way, he went home from work and informed his parents, "I met the girl I want to marry." After a short courtship of only six months, Nancy and Tom were married at Eastview UMC. Yes, Tom did it his way.

Tom joined the choir almost immediately, and when the contemporary "young adult" group, Eastview Singers was formed, he and Nancy became "charter members." In addition to singing, Tom worked with the junior high and senior high youth groups, taught the same level Sunday School classes, directed the children's choir, helped with the children's Christmas pageants, played handbells, and served on several committees.

Tom's future was mapped out for him when he felt his call to ministry while he and Nancy were attending Annual Conference at Lakeside. It was a true spiritual experience. After a few months, Tom decided to take the Lay Speaker course and when that did not satisfy his need to serve, he enrolled in the Certified Lay Ministry Academy, where after three years of study, he became a Certified Lay Minister. During his ministry, he served as pulpit supply for a few churches in the Capital Area South and North Districts in addition to bringing the message to Eastview and Whitehall churches.

After joining Whitehall UMC, Tom became active in Bible study and of course, sang in the choir and helped with Vacation Bible School. Between Bruce Gischel and Tom, they kept the discussion at Bible Study lively, but thought-provoking.

In the time before their children came, Tom was active in his Masonic Lodge, Ralph R. Rickly #670 F&AM (now Canal Winchester Lodge), Rickly Chapter OES, North Star Shrine #45, WSJ, and Harmony Court Order of the Amaranth. On four separate occasions, he was chosen as the soloist for the annual international convention for the order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem. It did not bother him to sing in front of thousands of people in the middle of a huge convention floor. He gave them his best, the same way he always did things.

When Tom wasn't singing, he did find time to work. In addition to his service at Merrill Publishing Company, Tom also was employed by the law firms of Bricker and Eckler and then Squire, Sanders, LLP, where he retired.

Tom and Nancy were blessed with the opportunity to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary in April of 2019 with many friends and family present to help them celebrate this special occasion.

In June of 2019, Tom suffered a stroke that robbed him of the ability to sing or speak. But he retained his sense of humor and was still able to critique Nancy's singing! On Christmas Eve, he was actually singing along with the carols during the service. Nancy said it was her best gift ever.

Tom also liked to read, and in one of the books that he had chosen to read for his CLM requirements was Adam Hamilton's book, Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple. In the first part of the book, Tom was struck by Jesus's admonition to the disciples (who were in a boat on the lake during a terrible storm), "fear not." About the only thing that Tom was afraid of was heights and ladders.

After having had two heart attacks, a stroke and other health issues, COVID was too much. He was ready. And he did it his way: quietly with no fanfare, no rush to life-saving measures. He left us the way he lived: peacefully and with dignity, and he did it his way.

In addition to Nancy, Tom is survived by his children, April (DJ) Noland, and Michael; his grandchildren Kayla and Autumn Slager, Brandon, Monica and Trinity Mitchell, and Eli Shirley; his great-grandchildren Mia, Mateo, and Ramona. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Riggs, nephews Eric, Brian, and niece, Becky, cousins, a wonderful church family, and many friends. He also leaves behind his faithful fur baby, Reba.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 1:00 p.m. at Whitehall United Methodist Church, 525 Bernhard Road, Whitehall. Masonic service will be at 11:00 a.m. with visitation immediately following until 15 minutes prior to the service at United Methodist Church. Masks are optional; please observe all safe health precautions.